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Rhode Island Telecom Compliance Guide

RI

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

OverviewCalling HoursConsentRegistrationDNC ComplianceDNC RegistryEnforcementCase LawLegislation

REI Wholesaling Telemarketing Compliance in Rhode Island

Real estate investor cold calling and SMS compliance in Rhode Island

Guide last reviewed: January 2025

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Mini-TCPA State — R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-61-3.2

Rhode Island imposes stricter consent and calling requirements than federal TCPA.REI Wholesaling companies operating here face $10,000 per-violation penalties.

Rhode Island REI Wholesaling Overview

Rhode Island is a low-risk state for REI wholesalers. The registration barrier is modest ($200/year, no bond), no separate state DNC list, and the calling hours match federal (8 AM–9 PM). The key requirements are written confirmation for deals over $25 and the 3-day rescission right. The Deceptive Trade Practices Act provides enforcement teeth ($10,000 per violation from AG, treble damages for consumers), but the overall compliance burden is manageable. Manual cold calling to non-DNC numbers within standard hours is straightforward.

Penalty/Violation

$10,000

Willful

$10,000

Calling Hours

8:00 AM–9:00 PM

Private Suit

No

Compliance Checklist

✓Register with Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation ($200/year, no bond) before making telemarketing calls,Scrub against federal National DNC Registry before every campaign (no separate state list),Calling hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM local time (matches federal),Identify yourself and your company at the start of each call,Manual dialing to non-DNC numbers is the viable cold calling method,Obtain prior express written consent before any automated dialing, texting, or AI voice outreach,Honor all opt-out requests immediately and maintain internal DNC list,Written confirmation required for any deal over $25,3-day right of rescission for telephone-solicited sales,EBR exemption: past sellers with transaction in last 18 months for manual calls only,One-to-one consent required for automated SMS/text outreach under FCC 2025 rule,FSBOs from MLS do not establish an EBR,Maintain call records and consent documentation

What Gets Companies Sued

✗Top violations for REI in Rhode Island: (1) Not registering with DBR; (2) Not scrubbing federal DNC list; (3) Not providing written confirmation for deals over $25; (4) Not honoring 3-day rescission right; (5) Using auto-dialers or text blasts without written consent.

Special Exemptions

EBR exemption for past sellers within 18 months. B2B exemption for commercial property calls. No separate state DNC list (uses federal). Low registration barrier ($200/year, no bond). No state ATDS definition — federal post-Duguid standard applies.

Key State Rules

Mini-TCPAYes
RegistrationNot Required
Class ActionsNot specified
Consent Requirements→Registration Details→DNC List→

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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 →