What does the TCPA require for automated calls?

For automated, prerecorded, or AI-voice marketing calls to U.S. consumers, the TCPA requires prior express written consent, an upfront caller/automation disclosure, suppression of Do Not Call numbers, and calling only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the called party’s local time. Opt-outs must be honored immediately.

How often must I scrub against the Do Not Call list?

The accepted practice is to scrub against the National DNC Registry and your internal opt-out list at least every 31 days, and to suppress any matched numbers before dialing.

What are TCPA quiet hours?

Telemarketing calls are restricted to 8:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. in the called party’s local time zone. You must resolve the recipient’s timezone (from their number or address), not use your own.

Guides · Compliance

TCPA compliance checklist

Use this checklist before you run any AI or automated calling program to U.S. consumers. Each item maps to a real TCPA, FCC, CTIA, or state requirement. Miss one and each call can be a $500–$1,500 statutory violation.

1. Capture prior express written consent (PEWC)

For AI/artificial-voice marketing calls and texts, get the contact’s signed, written agreement to be contacted at that number before you dial. Store the consent text, timestamp, and source. A bought list is not consent.

2. Scrub against the National DNC Registry

Check every number against the federal Do Not Call Registry and your internal opt-out list, refreshed at least every 31 days. Suppress matches automatically.

3. Honor opt-outs immediately and permanently

Process STOP/UNSUBSCRIBE on SMS and verbal "do not call" on voice the moment they happen, and never contact that number again on that channel. Send the CTIA-required STOP confirmation and answer HELP.

4. Call only within permitted hours

Restrict calling to 8 a.m.–9 p.m. in the called party’s local time (resolve timezone from their number/address, not yours). Apply per-contact attempt and frequency caps.

5. Deliver the artificial-voice / AI disclosure

Per 47 C.F.R. § 64.1200(b), identify the caller and the business at the start of the call and disclose it is an automated/AI call. The agent must never deny being AI. Layer state AI-transparency laws (e.g., CA SB 1001) on top.

6. Handle two-party recording consent

In all-party-consent states (CA, WA, IL, FL, PA and others), disclose recording to every party before recording — or don’t record. Treat unknown states as two-party. Recording without consent there can be a criminal offense.

7. Register for 10DLC if you send SMS

U.S. A2P texting requires brand + campaign registration (10DLC/TCR) through your carrier. Unregistered traffic is filtered or blocked and can carry penalties.

8. Keep an audit trail

Log consent records, DNC scrubs, opt-outs, disclosures, and every compliance block. If a regulator or plaintiff asks, the burden is on you to show the call was permitted. Retain records for the applicable limitations window.

Build it in, don’t bolt it on

Every item above is enforced automatically in Lead Friendly — the consent gate, DNC and opt-out suppression, quiet-hours by contact timezone, the non-removable AI disclosure, recording-consent gating, 10DLC registration, and an immutable audit log of every block. See the compliance overview.

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This checklist is general information, not legal advice, and is not exhaustive. Consult qualified telecom/TCPA counsel for your specific program.