Does Rhode Island have its own Do Not Call list?

Yes. Rhode Island maintains its own Do Not Call registry separate from the federal National DNC Registry. Telemarketers calling into Rhode Island must scrub against both the state list and the federal registry.

How do I register my phone number on the Rhode Island Do Not Call list?

Register on the federal National DNC Registry at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. Registration is free and permanent. Rhode Island relies on the federal list for consumer registration.

Is the Rhode Island Do Not Call registry free?

Consumer registration is free in every state. Telemarketers may pay a fee to access the list for compliance scrubbing. You never pay to add your number.

Does the Rhode Island DNC list cover cell phones?

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

Federal TCPA: $500 per call ($1,500 willful). FTC TSR penalties up to $51,744 per call. Rhode Island state penalty: $10,000 per call (state attorney general enforces).

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). Forward complaints to the Rhode Island attorney general's consumer protection office.

Is registration permanent?

Federal registration is permanent. Rhode Island state registration may have a renewal period — check the state registry administrator for current rules.

Home / States / Rhode Island

Rhode Island Telecom Compliance Guide

Telecom Compliance Reference — Updated January 2023

Mini-TCPA State — High Risk

Calling Hours

8:00 AM–9:00 PM

Min Penalty

$10,000

Registration

Not Required

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

Rhode Island Do Not Call Registry

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

Rhode Island runs its own DNC registry

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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

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.

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.
File a complaint with the Rhode Island attorney general. Rhode Island state penalties are $10,000 per violation, enforced by the AG. Federal TCPA also gives you a private right of action for $500 per call. File a complaint here →

Recent Rhode Island DNC enforcement actions

Ocean State Home Improvement LLC

home_services

May 2024

$145,000 penalty

RI AG enforced telemarketer registration and DNC compliance.

Calling a registered Rhode Island number costs telemarketers: $10,000 per call under state law, plus $500–$1,500 per call under federal TCPA.

Running a telemarketing operation?

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

Rhode Island 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

Stay Current

Weekly digest: what changed this week

New enforcement actions, statute updates, and rule changes in Rhode Island — delivered once a week.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Powered by Brevo.

Telemarketers — need automated DNC scrubbing?

Catalyst Partners sets up automated DNC scrubbing across every state you operate in. Federal list, state lists, internal lists, on a schedule that keeps you legal.

Book a Compliance Call →

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 →