What consent is required for Cold Calling in Washington?

Washington has a mini-TCPA (RCW 80.36 (Automatic Dialing & Announcing Devices); RCW 19.190 (CEMA)) that imposes stricter consent rules than federal TCPA. Prior express written consent is generally required.

What are the calling hour restrictions in Washington?

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

What is the penalty per violation in Washington?

Up to $1,000 per violation (or $2,000 for willful violations). Private right of action available.

Is registration required to telemarket in Washington?

Yes — Washington requires telemarketer registration before placing calls.

Home / States / Washington

Washington Telecom Compliance Guide

Telecom Compliance Reference — Updated January 2023

Mini-TCPA State — High Risk

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

Washington Cold Calling Compliance

Voice call compliance rules for outbound telemarketing in Washington

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Mini-TCPA State — RCW 80.36 (Automatic Dialing & Announcing Devices); RCW 19.190 (CEMA)

Washington 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

StatuteRCW 80.36.390; RCW 80.36.400

Manual cold calling to non-DNC numbers is permitted with proper identification and calling hour compliance. ADAD calls (prerecorded message) require prior consent. All calls must identify caller, company, and purpose at the start. Must disconnect immediately on request. Calling hours: 8 AM to 9 PM local time. TWO-PARTY CONSENT for recording: you must disclose and get consent before recording any call (RCW 9.73.030).

Full consent requirements for all channels →

Calling Rules

Calling Hours8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

RegistrationRequired

Penalty / Violation$1,000

Willful Violation$2,000

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 →