The National Do Not Call Registry is the FTC's consumer protection tool against unwanted telemarketing. B2B callers have exemptions — but they're narrower than most think.
Numbers registered on the National DNC Registry
Source: FTC
Maximum time between list scrubbing (TSR requirement)
Source: TSR
National DNC Registry Overview
Key Facts:
- • Managed by the FTC under the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR)
- • Over 218 million phone numbers registered
- • Numbers remain on the list until removed by consumer
- • Covers residential and personal cell phones
- • Updated daily
Access Fees (2025)
- • First 5 area codes: Free
- • Additional area codes: $82 each/year
- • All area codes: $22,626/year
- • Annual renewal required
Enforcement
- • FTC: Up to $50,000 per violation
- • State AG actions
- • No private right of action
- • Patterns trigger enforcement
B2B Exemption: What It Actually Covers
What IS Exempt:
Calls to businesses soliciting the purchase of goods or services by the business (not by individuals at the business for personal use).
What is NOT Exempt:
- • Calls to individuals at a business for personal products/services
- • Calls to personal phones used for work
- • Calls to home-based businesses on residential lines
- • Calls to small business owners on personal cells
Pro Tip
Why B2B Companies Should Still Scrub
1. Mixed-Use Phone Explosion
More SMB decision-makers use personal cells for business. That "business number" in your CRM might be someone's personal phone — not exempt.
2. SMBs Register Personal Numbers
Research shows ~20% of SMB owners have registered their numbers on the DNC. They may also be the number you're calling.
3. Risk Mitigation
Even if technically exempt, calling registered numbers creates complaints, wastes time, and damages reputation.
4. State Laws May Not Exempt B2B
Some states don't have the same B2B exemption. Florida's Mini-TCPA, for example, doesn't exempt B2B calls.
Scrubbing Requirements
TSR Requirements:
- • Every 31 days: Must scrub against National DNC Registry
- • Immediately: Must honor internal DNC requests
- • Every 15 days: Cell phone prefix lists (for TCPA compliance)
- • Before each campaign: Best practice for active lists
What to Scrub Against
- • National DNC Registry
- • State DNC Registries (if applicable)
- • Your internal DNC list
- • Wireless number databases
- • Ported number lists
Record Keeping
- • Date of each scrub
- • Which lists were used
- • Numbers removed
- • Keep for 2+ years
- • Be able to prove compliance
State DNC Registries (12 States)
These states maintain their own Do Not Call lists, separate from the federal registry:
Colorado
B2B Exempt: Partial
Florida
B2B Exempt: No
Indiana
B2B Exempt: Yes
Louisiana
B2B Exempt: Yes
Massachusetts
B2B Exempt: Yes
Missouri
B2B Exempt: Yes
Oklahoma
B2B Exempt: Partial
Pennsylvania
B2B Exempt: Yes
Tennessee
B2B Exempt: Yes
Texas
B2B Exempt: Partial
Wyoming
B2B Exempt: Yes
New York*
B2B Exempt: Yes
*New York recently restructured its telemarketing rules. Check current status before calling.
Florida is different:
Florida's state DNC law does NOT exempt B2B calls. If you're calling Florida businesses, you need to scrub against both federal and state lists.
Internal DNC Lists
Beyond external registries, you must maintain your own company-specific suppression list:
Do This
- Honor requests immediately (no grace period)
- Keep records for 5 years
- Apply company-wide (not just one campaign)
- Document date, time, and method of request
- Include both phone and written requests
- Train all staff to capture requests
Avoid This
- Wait to add someone to your list
- Only suppress for the campaign they called about
- Delete old suppression records
- Require written confirmation of phone request
- Charge any fee for DNC requests
- Make the process difficult
DNC Compliance Checklist
- Registered with National DNC Registry telemarketing.donotcall.gov
- Downloaded applicable area codes
- Established 31-day scrubbing schedule
- Identified states requiring separate registration
- Registered with required state DNC lists
- Created internal DNC list system
- Process for immediate internal DNC updates
- Trained staff to capture DNC requests
- Record-keeping system for scrub dates
- Maintain suppression records for 5 years
- Identified mixed-use/cell numbers in call lists
- Documented B2B exemption applicability for your business
Legal Disclaimer
This content is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulations vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. We strongly recommend consulting with a qualified attorney or compliance professional regarding your specific situation before implementing any outreach program. Pipeline Engine is designed with compliance in mind, but ultimate responsibility for legal compliance remains with the business.