1800 do not call list: what it is and how it actually works

Last updated 2026-07-09

What is the 1800 do not call list and who runs it?

The National Do Not Call Registry is a federal database run by the Federal Trade Commission. Consumers add their numbers to stop most commercial telemarketing calls. The registration line is 1-800-382-1222, which is where the "1800 do not call" shorthand comes from. You can also register online at donotcall.gov. ^[1]

The registry opened in 2003 under the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule (16 CFR Part 310). ^[2] The FTC runs the database. The FCC enforces the parallel rule for telemarketers under 47 USC 227, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Both agencies refer cases to each other. So there are two federal cops watching the same list.

More than 249 million phone numbers sit on the registry as of the FTC's FY2023 data. ^[5] That count has climbed every year since 2003. If you run outbound sales, treating the registry as a box to check is genuinely risky. The list now covers most working numbers in the country.

For how the registry fits the wider compliance picture, see our guide to the do not call list.

How do consumers register a number on the do not call list?

Two ways, both free. Call 1-800-382-1222 from the phone you want to register, or go to donotcall.gov and register up to three numbers per email address. ^[1]

Registration used to expire after five years. Congress ended that with the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007. Numbers now stay on the list permanently unless the consumer removes them or the carrier reassigns the number. ^[4] If a number gets disconnected and later handed to a new subscriber, the new owner has to register it themselves.

Once you register, telemarketers get 31 days to stop calling. That grace period is written into the Telemarketing Sales Rule. ^[2] Calls during those 31 days are not violations. Calls after that window are.

Cell phones go on the same national list. There has been years of confusion about this, driven by a forwarded-email myth that cell numbers needed a separate "wireless do not call list" run by some other agency. That is false. The registry at 1-800-382-1222 covers landlines and mobile numbers alike. For the cell angle, see our mobile phone do not call list article.

Who is legally required to check the do not call registry?

Any seller or telemarketer that makes telephone solicitations to residential subscribers has to access the registry before dialing. ^[2] That obligation comes from 16 CFR 310.4(b). "Residential telephone subscribers" includes cell phones under both FTC and FCC rules.

If your company makes outbound calls to pitch a product or service, you are covered. Five reps or 500 seats, the legal duty is identical. Size does not buy you an exemption.

Commercial access has a fee. Sellers pay $75 per area code per year, capped at $18,962 for all area codes as of FY2023, and the FTC adjusts these figures annually. ^[5] Access to the first five area codes is free. Nonprofits calling only their own donors, political organizations, survey firms, and charities sit outside the registry requirement entirely, though other rules still apply to them.

For a walk-through of pulling the actual data, the how do i get the do not call list guide covers account setup and download.

What are the fines for calling a number on the do not call list?

The maximum civil penalty is $53,088 per violation under the Telemarketing Sales Rule, the FTC's inflation-adjusted figure for 2024. ^[6] The FCC can add a separate penalty of similar size under 47 USC 227. Each call to a registered number counts on its own.

Regulators rarely chase single calls. The FTC and state attorneys general aggregate violations and settle for lump sums. In 2017 the FTC and 46 states settled with Dish Network for $280 million after the company made tens of millions of calls to registered numbers. ^[7] It remains one of the largest Do Not Call actions on record.

Private individuals sue too. Under 47 USC 227(c)(5), anyone who gets more than one call within 12 months from the same entity while registered can sue for $500 per call, or $1,500 if the court finds the violation willful. ^[3] Class actions are routine. One careless campaign can turn into thousands of claims bundled into a single suit.

Here is how the per-violation cap has moved, tracking FTC inflation adjustments.

Year	Max penalty per violation (TSR)
2014	$16,000
2016	$40,654
2020	$43,792
2022	$46,517
2023	$50,120
2024	$53,088

Does the do not call list apply to cell phones?

Yes. The registry at 1-800-382-1222 covers mobile numbers. There is no separate "cell do not call list" run by another agency, no matter what old websites or forwarded emails claim. ^[1]

Cell phones actually get a second layer of protection under 47 USC 227(b). That section bars using an automatic telephone dialing system or a prerecorded voice to call any mobile number without prior express consent, whether or not the number is registered. ^[3] So calling a cell with an autodialer and no consent is a TCPA violation even when the number never touched the DNC list.

The two rules stack. The DNC registry blocks solicitation calls to any registered phone, landline or mobile. The autodialer rule adds a separate prohibition just for cell phones. Dial mobile numbers at any volume and you have to satisfy both at once.

For how the cell rules and the registry interact, see the mobile phone do not call list article.

What exemptions exist so certain callers do not have to follow the list?

The exemptions are real but narrower than most people think. The main ones under the Telemarketing Sales Rule and TCPA:

Established business relationship (EBR). A seller can call a customer who bought, inquired, or applied within the past 18 months, even if the number is registered. But the moment that customer says stop, the EBR is gone and you cannot call again. ^[2]

Personal relationships. Calls to someone you personally know are not covered.

Charities, nonprofits, and political organizations. Pure charity solicitations and political calls sit outside the DNC registry under the Telemarketing Sales Rule, though state law sometimes piles on more restrictions. Use a charity as a front to sell goods and the exemption disappears.

Surveys and research. A genuine informational survey with no pitch at the end is generally exempt. Tack a sales offer onto the end and you lose it.

Prior express written consent. Under the TCPA, written consent that specifically authorizes calls from your company beats the DNC protection. ^[3] It has to be a real, documented agreement, not a pre-checked box buried in a terms page.

Here is the trap. The EBR exemption under the DNC rules is not identical to the EBR concept in the autodialer context. Conflating the two has cost companies money in court.

How often do telemarketers have to scrub their lists against the registry?

Every 31 days. The Telemarketing Sales Rule requires sellers and telemarketers to pull the current registry data and scrub their calling lists no less than once every 31 days. ^[2] Scrubbing quarterly, which some smaller teams still do, breaks the rule's plain text, even if you never get caught on a single call.

The registry gives subscribers updated data files. You download them, run them against your own list, and drop the matches before dialing. Simple in theory. With big purchased lead lists it gets messy fast, especially once number portability and reassignment enter the picture.

The FCC also runs a Reassigned Numbers Database that helps callers spot numbers that were disconnected and handed to a new subscriber. ^[8] Calling a reassigned number where the new owner never consented is a TCPA violation, even if the old owner did consent. Checking the DNC list and the reassigned number database together is the responsible baseline.

For the process end to end, the dnc registry guide covers the full access and scrubbing workflow.

How is the 1800 do not call list different from state do not call lists?

The national registry is a federal floor. States can stack stricter rules on top, and many do. Florida, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and others run their own DNC statutes with separate registration, separate exemptions, and in some cases their own penalty structures. ^[9]

Operate nationally and you have to scrub the federal registry plus any state list that applies. Clearing the federal list does not make you compliant in Florida or Indiana. Some states require the consumer to register separately, use a shorter grace period, or ban call types the federal rules allow.

State	State DNC law	Separate business access?
Florida	Florida Telemarketing Act (Fla. Stat. Ch. 501, Part IV)	Yes, separate registration
Indiana	IC 24-4.7	Yes, separate list access
Pennsylvania	Telemarketer Registration Act	Yes, separate list access
California	No separate registry	Relies on federal plus CCPA/CPRA rules

See the state pages for florida do not call list, indiana do not call list, and do not call list pa.

For teams dialing many states, scrub the federal registry first, then layer in state lists wherever you have real call volume.

How do you report a do not call violation?

Consumers file complaints at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-877-382-4357, the FTC's complaint line, which is separate from the registration line. ^[1] The FTC mines complaint data for patterns. No single complaint triggers an investigation on its own, but a cluster against one company gets noticed.

You can also complain to the FCC at fcc.gov/consumers if the call used a robocall or an autodialer. The FCC has issued fines above $200 million against single robocall operations in recent years. Collecting that money from bad actors is a separate and maddening problem.

Private lawsuits are the third route. Under 47 USC 227(c)(5), a consumer who gets more than one call in 12 months from the same entity while registered can sue in small claims or state court, often without a lawyer. The $500 to $1,500 per call range is what makes these cases worth an attorney's time when clients are aggregated. ^[3]

For filing and tracking, see the do not call list report article.

LeadCompliant's free DNC checker lets a team spot-check a number before a campaign launches. It is not a substitute for a full scrub against the real registry data.

What should a small outbound team do right now to stay compliant?

Get registered with the FTC's registry at telemarketing.donotcall.gov. You need a subscription to reach the data. Dial more than five area codes and there is a fee. Fewer than five and it is free. ^[5]

Set up a recurring 31-day scrub. Most CRMs will not do this for you. If yours has no built-in DNC integration, you are either exporting lists by hand or paying a third-party scrubbing service. Either works. The point is that the scrub happens on schedule and gets logged.

Build a company-specific internal DNC list. The national registry handles the consumer-facing side, but any customer or prospect who tells you to stop calling has to land on your internal list right away, registered or not. The Telemarketing Sales Rule requires it. ^[2]

Train your reps. The most common DNC violation is not a software failure. It is a rep who keeps dialing a number that already said stop because nobody flagged it. That creates liability even when your system is clean.

Document everything. Get sued, and a written compliance policy plus regular scrub records plus a training log gives you a real defense. Show up with none of that and you are stuck with the plaintiff's damages math, hoping for a cheap settlement.

For a structured start, LeadCompliant's one-time compliance kit lays out the documentation and process for small teams. It is not legal advice. It puts the framework in place before a lawyer ever asks to see it.

What does the actual TCPA statute say about the do not call list?

The core text is 47 USC 227(c). It directs the FCC to "initiate a rulemaking proceeding concerning the need to protect residential telephone subscribers' privacy rights to avoid receiving telephone solicitations to which they object." ^[3] That rulemaking became 47 CFR 64.1200, which sets the duty to honor the national registry.

The private right of action is 47 USC 227(c)(5): "A person who has received more than one telephone call within any 12-month period by or on behalf of the same entity in violation of the regulations prescribed under this subsection may, if otherwise permitted by the laws or rules of court of a State bring in an appropriate court of that State... an action to recover for actual monetary loss from such a violation, or to receive up to $500 in damages for each such violation, whichever is greater." That is the statute, word for word.

The FCC's 2012 order (In re Rules and Regulations Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, 27 FCC Rcd 1830) tightened consent rules hard. It killed the established business relationship defense for autodialed or prerecorded calls and required prior express written consent for most commercial calls to cell phones. ^[10]

The FCC's 2024 order pushed further on one-to-one consent, requiring that consent specifically name the entity making the call. ^[11] Lead generators who pass one consent to many buyers are exposed by this. Buy leads and call them, and the consent chain matters more than ever.

Frequently asked questions

Is 1-800-382-1222 the only number to register on the do not call list?

Yes. 1-800-382-1222 is the FTC's official registration line, and you have to call from the phone you want to register. You can also register up to three numbers online at donotcall.gov with a valid email address. Both methods are free, and registration is permanent since the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007.

How long does it take for a number to be protected after registering?

Telemarketers get a 31-day grace period after your number is added. Calls during those 31 days are not violations. After that window, any telemarketing call from a covered entity to your registered number breaks the Telemarketing Sales Rule and often the TCPA, which gives you the right to report or sue.

Does registering on the 1800 do not call list stop all unwanted calls?

No. Charities, political campaigns, survey organizations, and companies you already do business with are exempt. Scammers ignore the list entirely because they operate illegally anyway. The registry works against legitimate telemarketers who follow federal law. It does not block every nuisance or fraudulent call.

Can my cell phone be on the do not call list?

Yes. The registry at 1-800-382-1222 accepts mobile numbers, and there is no separate cell do not call list. Cell phones also get extra protection under 47 USC 227(b), which bars autodialed or prerecorded calls to mobile numbers without prior express consent, whether or not the number sits on the DNC registry.

What happens if I register and still get telemarketing calls?

If 31 days have passed and you are still getting commercial calls from the same company, file a complaint at donotcall.gov or call 1-877-382-4357. You can also sue under 47 USC 227(c)(5) for up to $500 per call, or $1,500 per call for a willful violation, if you got more than one call in a 12-month period from the same entity.

How do businesses access the do not call list to scrub their calling lists?

Businesses register at telemarketing.donotcall.gov. The first five area codes are free. Each additional area code costs $75 per year, capped at $18,962 for all area codes as of FY2023. Once registered, a business downloads updated registry files and has to scrub its calling lists against them at least once every 31 days under the Telemarketing Sales Rule.

Does the do not call list expire or does registration last forever?

Registration is permanent. The Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007 ended the old five-year expiration. Your number stays on the list until you remove it yourself at donotcall.gov, or your carrier disconnects and reassigns the number to a new subscriber, at which point the new subscriber has to register on their own.

What is the difference between the FTC do not call list and the FCC do not call rules?

The FTC runs the national registry and enforces the Telemarketing Sales Rule (16 CFR 310). The FCC enforces the TCPA (47 USC 227) and its regulations at 47 CFR 64.1200. Both require honoring the registry. The TCPA adds extra limits on autodialed and prerecorded calls. Non-compliance can bring action from either agency or both.

Are there state do not call lists separate from the federal 1800 list?

Yes. Florida, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and other states run their own DNC lists with separate consumer registration and separate business access. Being on the national list does not put you on every state list. Businesses calling into those states have to scrub the federal registry and the applicable state list or risk state-level penalties.

Can a company still call me if I registered on the do not call list but I bought something from them?

Yes, under the established business relationship exemption. If you bought from or inquired to a company within the past 18 months, they can call even if your number is registered. But the moment you tell them to stop, the exemption ends. They have to honor the request and add you to their internal do not call list.

What fine does a company face for calling a number on the do not call list?

Up to $53,088 per violation under the Telemarketing Sales Rule, the FTC's 2024 inflation-adjusted figure. The FCC can add a matching penalty under the TCPA, and each call counts separately. Private individuals can sue for $500 to $1,500 per call under 47 USC 227(c)(5). The 2017 Dish Network settlement totaled $280 million.

Does registering on the do not call list stop robocalls?

Partly. Registered numbers should not get robocalls from legitimate telemarketers. Illegal robocallers, often overseas, ignore the registry. The FCC runs separate programs against robocall gateway carriers and illegal spoofing. Registering helps with compliant callers and strengthens your legal footing when you sue violators, but it does not block calls at the network level.

How do I check if my number is already on the do not call list?

Go to donotcall.gov and use the "Verify a Registration" tool. Enter your phone number and email, and the FTC sends a confirmation. You can also call 1-800-382-1222 to confirm. Verification is free. Businesses can check specific numbers through their registry subscription portal before adding them to a call list.

Sources

1. FTC, National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov): 1-800-382-1222 is the FTC's official registration line; online registration available at donotcall.gov; covers both landlines and cell phones
2. FTC, Telemarketing Sales Rule 16 CFR Part 310: Sellers must scrub lists every 31 days; established business relationship lasts 18 months; internal DNC list required; applies to residential telephone subscribers
3. Legal Information Institute, 47 USC 227 (Telephone Consumer Protection Act): Private right of action for $500-$1,500 per call under 47 USC 227(c)(5); prohibition on autodialed calls to cell phones under 47 USC 227(b); FCC authority to regulate
4. FTC, National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov FAQ): Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007 eliminated five-year registration expiration; DNC registrations are now permanent
5. FTC, National Do Not Call Registry Data Book FY 2023: Over 249 million numbers registered as of FY2023; fee of $75 per area code per year; cap of $18,962 for all area codes; first five area codes free
6. FTC, Adjustments to Civil Penalty Amounts (2024, Federal Register): Maximum civil penalty under Telemarketing Sales Rule is $53,088 per violation as of 2024
7. FTC, United States v. Dish Network (2017 settlement): Dish Network settled with the FTC and multiple state AGs for $280 million for calls to numbers on the DNC registry
8. Florida Legislature, Florida Telemarketing Act (Fla. Stat. Ch. 501, Part IV): Florida maintains a separate state-level telemarketing law with its own DNC requirements on top of the federal registry
9. Indiana General Assembly, IC 24-4.7 (Indiana Telephone Privacy Law): Indiana maintains a separate state DNC list with its own access requirements for businesses