What consent is required for Ringless Voicemail 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 Ringless Voicemail Compliance

RVM (ringless voicemail drop) compliance rules in Washington

⚠

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 Ringless Voicemail operations here.

Consent Requirements

Consent LevelPrior Express

Checkbox ConsentValid

StatuteRCW 80.36.400; RCW 19.190

RVM status in Washington is legally uncertain but trending toward regulation. If classified as a prerecorded call, ADAD restrictions apply. If classified as an electronic message, CEMA applies ($500/message). Either way, prior consent is the safe operating assumption. The Washington AG has not issued specific RVM guidance, but the aggressive enforcement posture suggests treating RVM as requiring consent.

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

Ringless Voicemail Compliance Checklist

01Legal status is unsettled — treat as prerecorded call

02Obtain prior express written consent to be safe

03Check if your state has banned or restricted RVMs

04Include your company name and callback number in message

05Provide opt-out instructions in the message

06Honor opt-out requests from any channel

07Apply calling-hours rules — time of delivery matters

08Scrub DNC lists before sending

09Do not send to numbers on national or state DNC lists

10Consult counsel before deploying at scale in high-risk states

This checklist covers common requirements. State-specific rules may vary. Confirm with legal counsel for high-volume campaigns.

Stay Current

Weekly compliance digest

New enforcement actions, statute updates, and rule changes — delivered once a week. Know what changed before your next dial session.

Compliance, built in

Need an AI workforce that knows the rules?

Chief is the AI workforce for real estate operators. Calling, texting, and follow-up that respects Washington consent requirements, calling hours, and DNC rules without you babysitting the dialer.

See Chief →

Or book a compliance review

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 →