Understanding Telemarketing Calling Hours by State

Know the legal restrictions regarding national time and date for your telemarketing call center.

Understanding and Adhering to State Telemarketing Calling Rules

National and local telemarketing call centers should be aware of and adhere to call-time laws to avoid fines. While federal laws cover all US jurisdictions, stricter, state-level regulations can supersede them. These regulations cover the time of day, day of the week, and holidays. 

It is crucial to ensure that your team knows when you can and cannot call leads based on the day or the time of the day and the year. We have put together this quick guide to help set you on the right path. This guide lists states with stricter telemarketing calling hours and restricted state holidays. As always, please make sure you consult
your local state regulations and review this list with your internal compliance team.

How early is too early, and how late is too late to call your prospects and internet leads?

Even though Federal Law allows calling between 8 AM and 9 PM, some states place additional restrictions on telemarketing calling hours. For instance, Florida law SB 1120 limits telemarketing to three calls per number between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. 

What days are off-limits for telemarketing calls?

Some states restrict specific days of the week and public holidays, as noted below.

See: How to Avoid Spam Flagging on Your Outbound Calls

Important Note: State-specific Do-Not-Call legislation is continually changing. ClickPoint Software strongly recommends consulting with your legal department regarding rules and regulations related to telemarketing calls for each state. The information outlined below does not constitute legal advice.

The table below lists states with stricter telemarketing call center rules than federal regulations.

STATE

MON-FRI

SAT

SUN

HOLIDAYS

Alabama

8am - 8pm

8am - 8pm

No Calls

No Calls

Connecticut

9am - 9pm

9am - 9pm

9am - 9pm

 

Florida

8am – 8pm

8am – 8pm

8am – 8pm

 

Illinois

9am - 9pm

(prerecorded calls)

9am - 9pm

(prerecorded calls)

9am - 9pm

 

Kentucky

10am - 9pm

10am - 9pm

10am - 9pm

 

Louisiana

8am - 8pm

8am - 8pm

No Calls

No Calls

Massachusetts

8am - 8pm

8am - 8pm

8am - 8pm

 

Michigan

9am - 9pm

9am - 9pm

9am - 9pm

 

Minnesota

9am - 9pm

9am - 9pm

9am - 9pm

 

Mississippi

8am - 8pm

8am - 8pm

No Calls

No Calls

Nevada

9am - 8pm

9am - 8pm

9am - 8pm

 

New Mexico

9am - 9pm

9am - 9pm

9am - 9pm

 

Oklahoma

9am - 9pm

(prerecorded calls)

9am - 9pm

(prerecorded calls)

9am - 9pm

 

Pennsylvania

9am - 9pm

(prerecorded calls)

9am - 9pm

(prerecorded calls)

1:30pm - 9pm

No Calls

Rhode Island

9am - 6pm

10am - 5pm

No Calls

No Calls

South Dakota

9am - 9pm

9am - 9pm

No Calls

 

Texas

9am - 9pm

9am - 9pm

12pm - 9pm

 

Utah

8am - 9pm

8am - 9pm

No Calls

No Calls

Wyoming

8am - 8pm

8am - 8pm

8am - 8pm

 

Legal Holidays by State

Several states have additional Do Not Call restrictions depending on the legal holiday. 

headset on desk

Additional Details

  • Alabama: If any holiday falls on Sunday, the following day (Monday) is the holiday. If any holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding day (Friday) is the holiday. Ala. Code § 1-3-8(a).
  • Louisiana: This chart only includes DNC holidays identified by the Louisiana Public Service Commission. According to the PSC, there are no calling restrictions on other legal holidays (specified in La. Stat. § 1:55). The Governor may declare other holidays.
  • Mississippi: If any holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a legal holiday. Miss. Stat. § 3-3-7.
  • Nebraska: It does not prohibit calls on Sundays or legal holidays; however, it does restrict the use of prerecorded messages from 1 pm to 9 pm on these days (subject to certain exceptions). Neb. Admin. Code Title 291 Ch. 11 § 3.
  • Rhode Island: If New Year's Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, or Christmas falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Monday after that shall be a legal holiday. R.I. Stat. § 25-1-1.
  • Utah: If any holiday falls on Sunday, the following day (Monday) is the holiday. If any holiday falls on Saturday, the preceding day (Friday) is the holiday. Utah Code § 63G-1-301.
  • Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office designates the following holidays as “legal holidays.” The Governor may declare other holidays; if any Independence Day, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, the following day shall be a legal holiday. 7 P.S. 113.

States of Emergency

For Louisiana and New York, calling is prohibited in areas under a state of emergency.

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