What consent is required for Cold Calling in Tennessee?

Tennessee has a mini-TCPA (Tenn. Code § 47-18-1501 et seq. (Tennessee Telephone Solicitation Act)) that imposes stricter consent rules than federal TCPA. Prior express written consent is generally required.

What are the calling hour restrictions in Tennessee?

Tennessee restricts telemarketing calls to 08:00:00–21:00:00 local time, with Sunday calls prohibited.

What is the penalty per violation in Tennessee?

Up to $10,000 per violation (or $10,000 for willful violations). Private right of action available.

Is registration required to telemarket in Tennessee?

Yes — Tennessee requires telemarketer registration before placing calls.

Home / States / Tennessee

Tennessee 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

Required

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

Tennessee Cold Calling Compliance

Voice call compliance rules for outbound telemarketing in Tennessee

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Mini-TCPA State — Tenn. Code § 47-18-1501 et seq. (Tennessee Telephone Solicitation Act)

Tennessee has enacted a state-level TCPA that goes beyond federal requirements. Federal compliance alone is not enough for Cold Calling operations here.

Consent Requirements

Consent LevelPrior Express

Checkbox ConsentValid

StatuteTenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-1501 et seq.; 47 U.S.C. § 227

Manual cold calling is permitted in TN with telemarketer registration, DNC scrubbing, and calling hour compliance. Tennessee requires a $2,000 surety bond for telemarketer registration. Federal TCPA applies for automated systems. Private right of action available under TN Consumer Protection Act for deceptive practices.

Full consent requirements for all channels →

Calling Rules

Calling Hours8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Sunday CallingProhibited

RegistrationRequired

Penalty / Violation$10,000

Willful Violation$10,000

Private Right of ActionYES

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 →