State law guide · Tennessee

Unwanted calls and texts in Tennessee: what the rules say

Tennessee's Do Not Call/Text law restricts covered commercial solicitations to enrolled residential landline and cell numbers. Since July 1, 2023, the law's solicitation restrictions also apply to qualifying text messages. Covered calls generally may be made between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. unless the residential subscriber permits another time.

Where the rules draw a line

The program is for commercial solicitations, not political messages, and has exceptions for express permission, certain nonprofit contacts, recent business relationships, and a limited number of direct-business contacts. Business numbers are not eligible for the state register.

What this can mean for a consumer

The reviewed Tennessee provisions authorize Commission and state enforcement, including civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation. They do not provide a general consumer statutory-damages action or promise payment to a person who receives a text or call.

Keep the details

Save the full text thread, call log, voicemails, dates and times, the company or product named, and any reply asking the sender to stop. Those details can help show what happened; they do not establish by themselves that a law was violated.

Official Tennessee sources

This page is general information, not legal advice. State and federal rules have different definitions, exceptions, and deadlines. Whether a rule applies depends on the facts and current law.