Iowa Consent Requirements
What consent you need before calling or texting consumers in Iowa
Mini-TCPA State — Stricter than Federal
Iowa has enacted Iowa Code § 476.103 which imposes consent requirements beyond what federal TCPA requires. Federal compliance alone is not enough.
One-to-One Consent Required for Some Channels
Consent obtained from a lead generator or shared with multiple sellers is NOT valid in Iowa for affected channels. You must obtain consent specifically naming your company.
Consent Requirements by Channel
| Channel | Consent Level | One-to-One | ATDS Broader | Checkbox Valid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voice Call | Prior Express | No | No | Not Sufficient |
| SMS | Written Consent Required | Required | No | Valid |
| AI Voice | Written Consent Required | Required | No | Not Sufficient |
| Prerecorded | Written Consent Required | Required | No | Valid |
| Ringless Voicemail | Written Consent Required | Required | No | Valid |
| MMS | Written Consent Required | Required | No | Valid |
| Fax | Written Consent Required | No | No | Not Sufficient |
Channel Details
Voice Call
Notes
Manual voice calls to non-DNC numbers require prior express consent. Must register with IA AG and post $50,000 bond. Calling hours 8 AM to 9 PM. Must identify yourself, company, and purpose at the start. 3-day cancellation right on all phone contracts. $40,000 per violation penalty makes Iowa one of the heavier penalty states.
ATDS Definition
Iowa defines automated telephone dialing systems as equipment capable of storing or producing telephone numbers and dialing them without human intervention. The definition is largely aligned with the federal standard.
Exemptions
EBR exemption available for manual calls. Registration with IA AG required ($50,000 bond).
Statute
Iowa Code § 714B
SMS
Notes
SMS marketing requires prior express written consent when using automated systems. FCC one-to-one consent rule applies. Iowa's $40,000 per violation penalty structure makes unauthorized texting expensive.
ATDS Definition
Automated texting platforms fall under Iowa's automated calling restrictions. Systems that store numbers and send messages without individual human initiation trigger consent requirements.
Exemptions
Transactional texts to existing customers may be exempt.
Statute
Iowa Code § 714B.7
AI Voice
Notes
AI voice calls require prior express written consent in Iowa. No BIPA-equivalent exists, but the Consumer Fraud Act could cover failure to disclose AI use as a deceptive practice. The $40,000 per violation penalty and criminal fraud provisions make non-compliance risky.
ATDS Definition
AI-generated voice calls fall under Iowa's automated calling and prerecorded message restrictions. No specific AI disclosure statute exists yet.
Statute
Iowa Code § 714B.7
Prerecorded
Notes
Prerecorded messages to Iowa consumers require prior express written consent. Must identify caller within 30 seconds and provide opt-out. Same $40,000 per violation penalty.
ATDS Definition
Prerecorded messages are explicitly covered by Iowa's ITSA automated calling provisions. Prior consent required for prerecorded commercial solicitation.
Exemptions
Emergency and government notifications may be exempt.
Statute
Iowa Code § 714B.7
Ringless Voicemail
Notes
RVM is not specifically addressed in Iowa statute but is likely covered by the automated calling provisions. The $40,000 per violation penalty warrants a conservative approach: treat RVM as requiring prior express written consent.
ATDS Definition
Ringless voicemail is not explicitly addressed but falls under the automated calling provisions as an automated message delivery to consumer phone systems.
Statute
Iowa Code § 714B.7
MMS
Notes
MMS marketing follows the same rules as SMS. Prior express written consent required for automated sending.
ATDS Definition
MMS messages are treated identically to SMS under Iowa's automated calling restrictions.
Exemptions
Same exemptions as SMS.
Statute
Iowa Code § 714B.7
Fax
Notes
Fax advertising follows federal TCPA rules. Prior express written consent required for unsolicited commercial faxes.
ATDS Definition
Fax communications are governed by federal TCPA. Iowa does not have a separate state fax statute.
Exemptions
EBR exemption under federal law with opt-out notice on each fax.
Statute
Iowa Code § 714B; 47 U.S.C. § 227
What Counts as Valid Consent
Recipient must have previously expressed willingness to receive calls/texts. Oral consent typically sufficient.
Written consent required — electronic (checkbox, signature) or signed paper. Must be clear and conspicuous. Cannot be a precondition of purchase.
Universal rule: Consent must be freely given — it cannot be a condition of purchasing a product or service. Bundled consent (buried in terms of service) is not valid for TCPA purposes.
Stay Current
Weekly digest: what changed this week
New enforcement actions, statute updates, and rule changes in Iowa — delivered once a week.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Powered by Brevo.
Compliance Review
Not sure if you're compliant in Iowa?
Get a 30-minute compliance review with Catalyst Partners — we'll map your outreach program against Iowalaw and tell you exactly where you're exposed. No generic advice. No billing by the hour after. Just the facts and a clear action list.
Book Free Consultation →Catalyst Partners · Palm Harbor, FL · +1 (727) 777-3204
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 →