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.
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)
- • Check current registration totals in FTC reporting
- • Registrations do not expire; disconnected or reassigned numbers may be removed
- • Covers residential and personal cell phones
- • Updated daily
Registry access fees change. Check the FTC registry before purchase; do not share another seller's subscription.
Enforcement
- • FTC: Civil penalties and injunctive relief
- • State AG actions
- • Separate TCPA private claims may also apply
- • 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
An owner's work contact number may also be a registered personal number. Check before relying on an exemption.
3. Risk Mitigation
Even if technically exempt, calling registered numbers creates complaints, wastes time, and damages reputation.
4. State Laws May Not Exempt B2B
State definitions and exemptions vary. Review the actual provision and proposed call, including seller-specific opt-outs.
Scrubbing Requirements
TSR Requirements:
- • Every 31 days: Must scrub against National DNC Registry
- • Immediately: Must honor internal DNC requests
- • Before launch: Verify mobile and reassigned-number handling for the calling method
- • 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
- • Retain records for the applicable period; covered TSR records generally require five years
- • Be able to prove compliance
State DNC Requirements
Build a destination-state checklist covering registration, suppression data, hours, consent and exemptions. Record the official source and review date. Do not infer a state exemption from a federal one.
Florida illustrates why scope matters: section 501.059 defines consumer solicitations and expressly includes businesses in seller-specific opt-out protection. Section 501.616 and section 501.604 address commercial telemarketing and exemptions separately.
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
Official sources reviewed September 26, 2026: FTC TSR guidance; FCC calling rules; Florida solicitation statute.
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. Outbound Engine is designed with compliance in mind, but ultimate responsibility for legal compliance remains with the business.