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Washington

WA

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

OverviewCalling HoursConsentRegistrationDNCEnforcementCase LawLegislation

Washington Ringless Voicemail Compliance

RVM (ringless voicemail drop) compliance rules 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 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.

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Catalyst Partners builds Ringless Voicemail compliance infrastructure for operators in Washington — consent flows, DNC scrubbing, and documentation that holds up in court.

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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 →