TCPA Call Times
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) restricts when automated calls, prerecorded voice messages, and text messages can be sent to consumers. Violating these time-of-day rules can result in significant fines, so it is critical that your outbound outreach stays within the permitted windows.
Federal Calling Window
Under federal TCPA rules, outbound calls and texts may only be placed between:
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM in the recipient's local time zone
This applies to all autodialed calls, prerecorded or artificial-voice calls, and SMS/MMS messages sent to residential landlines and mobile numbers.
Key Rules
Recipient's Time Zone Controls
The permitted window is based on the recipient's location, not the caller's. If your firm is in New York (Eastern) and you are calling a lead in Los Angeles (Pacific), the 8 AM - 9 PM window applies in Pacific Time.
Reflekt Legal Handles This Automatically
Reflekt Legal's AI outbound intake specialists automatically respect TCPA time-of-day rules. The platform:
- Detects the recipient's time zone based on their area code and available location data
- Queues outbound calls and texts so they only go out during the allowed window
- Pauses outreach during restricted hours and resumes the next permitted morning
You do not need to manually schedule around time zones - the system manages this for you.
State-Specific Restrictions
Several states impose stricter calling windows than the federal 8 AM - 9 PM rule. When a state rule is more restrictive, the state rule takes precedence.
| State | Permitted Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal (default) | 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM | Recipient's local time |
| Florida | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM | Applies to commercial telephone solicitation |
| Georgia | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM | Applies to telephone solicitation calls |
| Louisiana | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM | Applies to unsolicited calls |
| Massachusetts | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM | Applies to telephone solicitation |
| Oklahoma | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM | Applies to automated calls |
| Texas | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM | One of the latest start times in the country |
| Washington | 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM | Applies to commercial solicitation |
This table highlights some of the most common state-level restrictions, but it is not exhaustive. State telemarketing laws change frequently - always verify the current rules for the states you are calling into.
Penalties for Violations
Calling outside the permitted hours is treated the same as any other TCPA violation:
- $500 per violation (per call or text) for standard violations
- $1,500 per violation if the violation is found to be willful or knowing
Because each individual call or text counts as a separate violation, the costs add up quickly for high-volume outreach.
Best Practices
- Rely on Reflekt Legal's built-in compliance - the platform enforces time-of-day rules automatically, so you can focus on intake rather than scheduling.
- Keep contact records accurate - correct phone numbers and area codes help the system determine the recipient's time zone reliably.
- Monitor state law updates - if your firm targets leads in specific states, periodically review those states' telemarketing regulations for changes.
- When in doubt, use a narrower window - if you are unsure about a recipient's time zone, a 9 AM - 8 PM window covers every state rule.
Questions
If you have questions about TCPA calling hours or how Reflekt Legal enforces them, reach out to [email protected].