State Do Not Call Lists: Full Compliance Guide
The national registry isn't the only list you need to respect. 19 states run their own — with stricter rules, smaller windows, and separate penalties.
The National Do Not Call Registry blocks 248 million numbers — but it's not the only list you need to respect. 19 U.S. states maintain their own Do Not Call registries, with stricter rules, smaller windows, and separate penalties.
If you call anyone in California, New York, Texas, or Florida without scrubbing state lists, you're breaking state law. Period. This guide shows you which states have their own DNC lists, what they cover, and how to stay compliant across borders.
Why States Built Their Own DNC Lists
The national DNC Registry (run by the FTC) sets the floor for consumer protection. States realized they could add their own rules on top of it:
- Tighter scrubbing windows. Some states require scrubbing every 7 or 14 days instead of the FTC's 31-day standard.
- Different exemptions. California, for example, applies the federal nonprofit exemption; Texas does not grant one at the state level.
- State-specific penalties. California fines can reach $2,500 per violation for a pattern of violations — compare that to the federal private-lawsuit cap of $1,500.
- Local enforcement. State attorneys general can sue you directly — no need to wait for a class-action plaintiff to find you.
States With Their Own DNC Lists (2026)
| State | Registry | Scrubbing Window | Since | Penalty / Call |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | California DNC List | Every 7 days | 1971 | Up to $2,500 (pattern) |
| Connecticut | Connecticut DNC | Every 7 days | 2005 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Florida | Florida DNC | Every 30 days | 1995 | $500–$1,000 |
| Illinois | Illinois DNC | Every 30 days | 2003 | $100–$500 |
| Indiana | Indiana DNC | Every 30 days | 2003 | $100–$1,000 |
| Kentucky | Kentucky DNC | Every 30 days | 2004 | $100–$1,000 |
| Mississippi | Mississippi DNC | Every 30 days | 2004 | $500–$5,000 |
| Missouri | Missouri DNC | Every 30 days | 2004 | $500 minimum |
| Montana | Montana DNC | Every 30 days | 2003 | $100–$1,000 |
| Nevada | Nevada DNC | Every 30 days | 2002 | $100–$1,000 |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire DNC | Every 30 days | 2003 | $100–$5,000 |
| New York | New York DNC + preference list | Every 30 days | 1992 | $500–$1,500 |
| North Carolina | North Carolina DNC | Every 30 days | 2003 | $100–$1,000 |
| Ohio | Ohio DNC | Every 30 days | 2003 | $100–$1,000 |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania DNC | Every 30 days | 2003 | $100–$3,000 |
| Tennessee | Tennessee DNC | Every 30 days | 2003 | $100–$1,000 |
| Texas | Texas DNC | Every 30 days | 2002 | $100–$1,000 |
| West Virginia | West Virginia DNC | Every 30 days | 2003 | $100–$1,000 |
32 states don't maintain a separate DNC registry and rely entirely on federal compliance.
Key Differences: State DNC vs. National DNC
1. Scrubbing Windows
National (FTC): every 31 days before calling. California and Connecticut: every 7 days — the most restrictive in the country. Most other states with their own list: every 30 days, slightly tighter than federal. If you call California on day 8 and the consumer joined the list on day 2, you're violating California law even if you scrubbed yesterday.
2. Exemptions for Nonprofits & Charities
The national registry has broad exemptions for nonprofits, political organizations, and surveys. States carved out different exceptions: California applies the federal nonprofit exemption; Texas grants none at the state level; New York expects nonprofits to respect the list like everyone else. A federal exemption doesn't automatically travel with you into every state.
3. Prior Business Relationship
The national DNC allows calls if there's been a business transaction in the past 18 months or written consent. States mostly adopt this, but Pennsylvania and New York apply stricter definitions of “transaction” and shorter windows in some interpretations, and California requires explicit written consent rather than an assumed relationship.
4. Company-Specific Preference Lists
Some states enforce their own “do not call it” or preference lists — internal lists a company must honor separately from the state registry. New York maintains one distinct from its state DNC list. Ignore a written opt-out request and penalties can apply even if the consumer was never on the state list.
How to Build a Multi-State Compliance Strategy
For national campaigns
- Scrub the national FTC DNC list every 31 days (required by the TCPA)
- Add state lists for any state with a meaningful share of your target audience
- For CA/CT campaigns, scrub every 7 days, not every 31
- Document scrubbing results — date scrubbed, list source, numbers removed
- Honor state-specific exemptions instead of assuming your federal exemption travels
For multi-state dialing platforms
- Implement state-detection logic (area code → state)
- Scrub different lists on different cadences (CA gets 7 days, TX gets 30, etc.)
- Log which list was scrubbed for each campaign
- Flag high-risk states (CA, NY) for extra audit checks
Free National Scrubbing + Premium State Lists
FreeDNCScrub gives you the national FTC DNC list for free. Every number, every time — no login, no limits.
State-level scrubbing across all 19 states, litigator-list scrubbing, compliance reports, and API access are planned as a Premium tier — see current status and pricing on our pricing page.
Common Mistakes We See
"We only call nationally, so we ignore state lists."
Wrong. A consumer in California is covered by California law, regardless of where you're calling from.
"We scrub the national DNC every 31 days, so we're good."
Not in California or Connecticut. They require a 7-day scrubbing cadence — more than four times as often as the federal minimum.
"Our nonprofit status exempts us everywhere."
Only true federally. Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania don't grant a state-level nonprofit exemption.
"We have consent, so DNC doesn't apply."
Consent helps, but state-specific consent rules vary — some states require written confirmation, others accept verbal or email consent.
"Scrubbing prevents lawsuits."
Scrubbing demonstrates due diligence and reduces liability, but it isn't a bulletproof defense. Document everything.
Next Steps
Single check? Batch scrub? Start with the free national registry — it covers every U.S. number, in every state, right now.
Running a multi-state campaign? Email our team about state DNC and API access.
This guide is for informational purposes only and isn't legal advice. Consult a qualified TCPA attorney for guidance specific to your business.