Is the Kentucky Do Not Call registry free?

Consumer registration is free in every state. Telemarketers pay $300 for access to the list. You never pay to add your number.

Does the Kentucky DNC list cover cell phones?

Yes. Cell phones are covered. The federal registry has accepted cell phone numbers since inception. The Kentucky state list also covers mobile numbers. You can register any personal number — landline or wireless — to block telemarketing calls.

Does it cover text messages?

Telemarketing text messages are restricted under the TCPA whether or not your number is on the DNC list. Registration on the DNC list adds an additional layer of liability for any telemarketer who texts you.

What is the penalty for calling a registered Kentucky number?

Federal TCPA: $500 per call ($1,500 willful). FTC TSR penalties up to $51,744 per call. Kentucky state penalty: $500 per call — and you can sue the telemarketer directly under the state private right of action.

What do I do when telemarketers call after I registered?

Three steps. (1) Tell the caller to put you on their internal do-not-call list — that triggers a separate 30-day cure obligation. (2) File a complaint at donotcall.gov. (3) Document the call (date, time, number, company, what was offered). In Kentucky you have a private right of action — you can sue the telemarketer in small claims or state court.

Is registration permanent?

Yes. Federal registration is permanent — once your number is on the list, it stays until you remove it or disconnect the line. Kentucky state registration is also permanent.

Home / States / Kentucky

Kentucky Telecom Compliance Guide

Q: Does Kentucky have its own Do Not Call list?

Yes. Kentucky maintains its own Do Not Call registry separate from the federal National DNC Registry. Kentucky Attorney General's Office; list maintained as part of the National DNC Registry administers it. Telemarketers calling into Kentucky must scrub against both the state list and the federal registry.

Q: How do I register my phone number on the Kentucky Do Not Call list?

Register at https://www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/Consumer-Resources/Consumers/Pages/Information-for-Telemarketers.aspx. Registration is administered by Kentucky Attorney General's Office; list maintained as part of the National DNC Registry and is permanent. You should also register on the federal National DNC Registry at donotcall.gov for full protection.

Telecom Compliance Reference — Updated January 2023

Mini-TCPA State — High Risk

Calling Hours

10:00 AM–9:00 PM

Min Penalty

$500

Registration

Not Required

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

Kentucky Do Not Call Registry

How to register, what it covers, and how to enforce — 2026

Kentucky runs its own DNC registry

Kentucky maintains its own Do Not Call list separate from the federal National DNC Registry. Consumers should register on both lists for full protection.

Telemarketers calling into Kentucky must scrub their lists against the state registry AND the federal registry before each campaign. Scrubbing only the federal list is not enough.

How to register your number

Kentucky State Registry

Kentucky Do Not Call List

Administered by Kentucky Attorney General's Office; list maintained as part of the National DNC Registry

https://www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/Consumer-Resources/Consumers/Pages/Information-for-Telemarketers.aspx →

Federal National DNC Registry

donotcall.gov

Administered by the Federal Trade Commission. Free, permanent, covers landlines and cell phones in every state.

How long it takes effect

Federal: 31 days for telemarketers to scrub against your number. State registries vary — most align with the federal 31-day window. Reputable telemarketers stop calling within a week. Bad actors keep calling and rack up violations.

What the registry covers

Landlines

Yes

Cell phones

Yes

Text messages

Restricted under TCPA

What it blocks: Telemarketing sales calls and texts. Calls trying to sell you something.

What it does NOT block: Political calls, charitable solicitations, calls from companies you have a current business relationship with (within 18 months of last purchase / 3 months of inquiry), debt collectors, surveys, and informational calls.

Robocalls and AI voice: Already restricted by TCPA regardless of registration. Adding your number to the DNC list adds an extra layer of liability for callers.

Kentucky state list — details

Telemarketer access fee$300

Scrub frequencyMust scrub against the federal NDNC Registry at least every 31 days. Kentucky's DNC list is maintained through the National DNC Registry — all KY area codes (270, 502, 606, 859) are available at no cost from the federal registry.

Consumer registrationPermanent

Governing statuteKRS § 367.46951 et seq.

Kentucky's DNC list is maintained as part of the federal National DNC Registry — telemarketers access it through the FTC portal at no cost (KY has only 4 area codes, all within the free tier). However, telemarketing REGISTRATION with the KY AG is separate and expensive: initial registration fee is $300 plus a $50,000 surety bond, filed at least 10 days before doing business in KY. Annual renewal is $50. Automated Calling Equipment requires an additional permit and $10,000 bond (KRS 367.469). Penalties: up to $5,000 per violation. Consumer registration is free via the federal registry. Complaint hotline: 1-866-877-7867 or www.nocall.ky.gov.

What to do when telemarketers call after you registered

Tell the caller to put you on their internal do-not-call list. That triggers a separate 30-day cure obligation under federal law. If they call again after 30 days, that is an independent violation.
File a federal complaint at donotcall.gov/report. The FTC tracks these and pursues serial offenders.
Document the call. Date, time, number that called, company name, what they were selling. Screenshot or save voicemails. This is the evidence you need if you sue or file a state complaint.
Sue the telemarketer in Kentucky. Kentucky has a private right of action — you can recover $500 per call without proving actual damages. Federal TCPA adds another $500–$1,500 per call. File a complaint here →

Recent Kentucky DNC enforcement actions

Bluegrass Home Services Inc.

home_services

May 2024

$165,000 penalty

KY AG settled with home services robocaller for DNC violations.

Calling a registered Kentucky number costs telemarketers: $500 per call under state law, plus $500–$1,500 per call under federal TCPA. Consumers can sue directly — no state agency involvement required.

Running a telemarketing operation?

This page is for consumers and Kentucky residents. If you operate outbound calls into Kentucky, the compliance scrub workflow is documented separately.

Kentucky DNC compliance for telemarketers →

Compare DNC Registry across states

Federal TCPA is the floor. Each state can — and many do — go further.

DNC Registry in FloridaFL DNC Registry in CaliforniaCA DNC Registry in TexasTX DNC Registry in New YorkNY DNC Registry in IllinoisIL DNC Registry in GeorgiaGA DNC Registry in WashingtonWA DNC Registry in OklahomaOK

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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 →