Telemarketing Calling Restrictions & Hours by State

Written by Nate Watkins | December 2, 2021

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 calling restrictions cover the time of day, day of the week, and holidays.

Ensuring that your call center agents know when you can and cannot call leads based on the day or the time of the day and the year is crucial. We have compiled this quick guide to help set you on the right path. This guide lists states with stricter sales 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?

Federal law allows marketing phone calls between 8 AM and 9 PM. However, 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 always changing. ClickPoint Software strongly recommends consulting with your legal department regarding rules and regulations for 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.

HOLIDAY	MONTH	AL	LA	MS	MS	NE	RI	UT	PA
Sundays		X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
New Year's Day	Jan 1st	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	3rd Mon in Jan	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Mardi Gras Day	(Feb or Mar)	X	X
Washington / Lincoln Day	3rd Mon in Feb	X		X	X	X	X	X	X
Good Friday	(Mar/Apr)		X						X
Confederate Mem. Day	Last Mon in Apr	X
Confederate Mem. Day	Apr 29th			X
Memorial Day	Last Mon in May	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Jefferson Davis Day	Last Mon in June	X
Flag Day	June 14th								X
Independence Day	July 4th	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Pioneer Day	July 24th							X
Victory Day	2nd Mon of Aug						X
Labor Day	1st Mon in Sept	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
American Indian Heritage Day	2nd Mon in Oct	X
Columbus Day	2nd Mon in Oct	X	X		X	X	X	X	X
Election Day	2nd Tue in Nov		X				X
Veteran's Day	Nov 11th	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Thanksgiving	4th Thu in Nov	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Acadian Day	4th Fri in Nov		X
Christmas	Dec 25th	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X

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: Nebraska doesn't 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 is 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

Louisiana and New York prohibit calling in areas under a state of emergency.

Conclusion

Staying informed and adhering to federal and state-specific regulations is the foundation of a reputable call center's operations. Compliance isn't just about adhering to the law but respecting your potential customers.

Non-compliance exposes your organization to legal and financial risks and impacts your company's reputation. An improperly timed call can quickly get your number flagged with a spam risk caller ID, lowering your contact rate. Stay diligent, stay informed, and revisit these guidelines as regulations evolve.

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