What consent is required for Cold Calling in Maryland?

Maryland follows federal TCPA consent rules. ATDS or prerecorded calls to cell phones require prior express written consent.

What are the calling hour restrictions in Maryland?

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

What is the penalty per violation in Maryland?

Up to $1,000 per violation (or $5,000 for willful violations).

Is registration required to telemarket in Maryland?

Yes — Maryland requires telemarketer registration before placing calls.

Home / States / Maryland

Maryland Telecom Compliance Guide

Telecom Compliance Reference — Updated October 2019

TCPA Standard

Calling Hours

8:00 AM–9:00 PM

Min Penalty

$1,000

Registration

Required

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

Maryland Cold Calling Compliance

Voice call compliance rules for outbound telemarketing in Maryland

Consent Requirements

Consent LevelPrior Express

Checkbox ConsentValid

StatuteMd. Code, Com. Law § 14-2201 et seq.

Manual cold calling to non-DNC numbers is permitted with prior express consent (which can be implied from providing a number in a business context). Must identify caller, company, and purpose at the start of each call. Must scrub against both Maryland state DNC and federal NDNC. No private right of action under Maryland law — but federal TCPA still applies to cell phone calls made with ATDS.

Full consent requirements for all channels →

Calling Rules

Calling Hours8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

RegistrationRequired

Penalty / Violation$1,000

Willful Violation$5,000

Private Right of ActionNo

Cold Calling Compliance Checklist

01Verify calling hours in recipient's local timezone

02Scrub against National DNC Registry (every 31 days minimum)

03Scrub against state DNC list if applicable

04Maintain internal opt-out/DNC list

05Identify yourself and your company at start of call

06Provide contact information on request

07Honor opt-out requests immediately

08Ensure consent if using ATDS or prerecorded messages

09Register as telemarketer if state requires

10Document all consent and opt-out records

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

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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 →