Is the Massachusetts Do Not Call registry free?

Consumer registration is free in every state. Telemarketers pay $1,100 for access to the list. You never pay to add your number.

Does the Massachusetts DNC list cover cell phones?

Yes. Cell phones are covered. The federal registry has accepted cell phone numbers since inception. The Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts number?

Federal TCPA: $500 per call ($1,500 willful). FTC TSR penalties up to $51,744 per call. Massachusetts state penalty: $5,000 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 Massachusetts 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. Massachusetts state registration is also permanent.

Home / States / Massachusetts

Massachusetts Telecom Compliance Guide

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

Yes. Massachusetts maintains its own Do Not Call registry separate from the federal National DNC Registry. Massachusetts Division of Telecommunications and Cable (DTC); list subscription through designated vendor administers it. Telemarketers calling into Massachusetts must scrub against both the state list and the federal registry.

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

Register at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/subscribe-to-receive-the-massachusetts-do-not-call-registry. Registration is administered by Massachusetts Division of Telecommunications and Cable (DTC); list subscription through designated vendor and is permanent. You should also register on the federal National DNC Registry at donotcall.gov for full protection.

Telecom Compliance Reference — Updated January 2020

Private Right of Action

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

Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry

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

Massachusetts runs its own DNC registry

Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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

Massachusetts State Registry

Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry

Administered by Massachusetts Division of Telecommunications and Cable (DTC); list subscription through designated vendor

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/subscribe-to-receive-the-massachusetts-do-not-call-registry →

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.

Massachusetts state list — details

Telemarketer access fee$1,100

Scrub frequencyRegistry is updated quarterly. Telemarketers must subscribe and remove all names received quarterly from their call lists. Must also scrub against federal NDNC at least every 31 days.

Consumer registrationPermanent

Massachusetts maintains its own state Do Not Call Registry. The annual subscription fee for telemarketers to receive the registry is $1,100 (plus $60 for CD delivery). The registry is updated quarterly and companies must scrub against each update. Consumer registration is free and permanent. Telemarketers must also maintain their own company-specific DNC list and honor it for at least 5 years. Penalties: up to $5,000 per violation; intentional violations can result in criminal charges and fines up to $10,000 per violation. Exemptions: political polls/fundraising, established business relationships (until consumer opts out), debt collection, and calls to existing customers. Subscription line: toll-free (866) 339-1475.

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 Massachusetts. Massachusetts has a private right of action — you can recover $5,000 per call without proving actual damages. Federal TCPA adds another $500–$1,500 per call. File a complaint here →

Recent Massachusetts DNC enforcement actions

Boston Home Services Corp.

home_services

Oct 2023

$310,000 penalty

Home services company fined for prerecorded calls to MA DNC registrants.

Calling a registered Massachusetts number costs telemarketers: $5,000 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 Massachusetts residents. If you operate outbound calls into Massachusetts, the compliance scrub workflow is documented separately.

Massachusetts 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 →