What consent is required for AI Voice in California?

California has a mini-TCPA (Cal. Pub. Util. Code §§ 2871-2876; Cal. Penal Code § 632) that imposes stricter consent rules than federal TCPA. Prior express written consent is generally required.

What are the calling hour restrictions in California?

California restricts telemarketing calls to 08:00:00–21:00:00 local time.

What is the penalty per violation in California?

Up to $5,000 per violation (or $10,000 for willful violations). Private right of action available.

Is registration required to telemarket in California?

Yes — California requires telemarketer registration before placing calls.

Home / States / California

California Telecom Compliance Guide

Telecom Compliance Reference — Updated January 2025

Mini-TCPA State — High Risk

Calling Hours

8:00 AM–9:00 PM

Min Penalty

$5,000

Registration

Required

Overview Calling Hours Consent Registration DNC Compliance DNC Registry Enforcement Case Law Legislation

California AI Voice Compliance

AI-generated voice agent compliance rules in California

⚠

Mini-TCPA State — Cal. Pub. Util. Code §§ 2871-2876; Cal. Penal Code § 632

California has enacted a state-level TCPA that goes beyond federal requirements. Federal compliance alone is not enough for AI Voice operations here.

Consent Requirements

Consent LevelWritten Consent Required

One-to-One Consent Required

Shared consent from lead generators is NOT valid. Consent must specifically name your company.

ATDS DefinitionBroader than federal

Checkbox ConsentValid

StatuteCal. Pub. Util. Code § 2874 (as amended by AB 2905); Cal. Penal Code § 632; 47 U.S.C. § 227

Highest complexity channel in California. AI voice agents trigger at least four overlapping regulatory frameworks: (1) ADAD — live intro required, consent to hear message, 9AM-9PM hours; (2) AB 2905 — must disclose AI voice at call start, $5,000/violation/day; (3) CIPA — if the call is recorded or monitored, all-party consent required, $5,000 per violation; (4) Federal TCPA — prior express written consent for marketing calls using automated systems. FTC impersonation rules add additional liability if AI voice mimics a real person without disclosure. California is the most hostile jurisdiction in the US for AI voice telemarketing deployment.

Full consent requirements for all channels →

Calling Rules

Calling Hours8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

RegistrationRequired

Penalty / Violation$5,000

Willful Violation$10,000

Private Right of ActionYES

AI Voice Compliance Checklist

01Disclose AI nature at start of call — many states require this

02Obtain prior express consent before using AI voice

03Honor opt-out during the call immediately

04Check if state's ATDS definition covers AI voice dialers

05Apply same calling-hours rules as live agents

06Scrub DNC lists before each campaign

07Maintain call records and consent documentation

08Register as telemarketer if state requires

09Ensure AI cannot misrepresent itself as human

10Check for state-specific AI disclosure mandates

This checklist covers common requirements. State-specific rules may vary. Confirm with legal counsel for high-volume campaigns.

Stay Current

Weekly compliance digest

New enforcement actions, statute updates, and rule changes — delivered once a week. Know what changed before your next dial session.

AI voice, done right

Run TCPA-compliant AI calling in California.

Voniq is voice AI you own, not rent. Disclosures, consent, recording, and DNC scrubbing are handled at the platform level. Built for operators who need the rules baked in, not bolted on.

See Voniq →

Or book a compliance review

This is a compliance reference tool, not legal advice. Data compiled from public statutes, LegiScan, CourtListener, state AG offices, and AI-assisted analysis. Verify all information with qualified counsel before relying on it. Full terms & data sources →