US A2P 10DLC Registration & SMS Compliance Setup

Overview

To send SMS messages to recipients in the United States, businesses must comply with A2P 10DLC (Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code) regulations established by U.S. mobile carriers.

These regulations help reduce spam, improve message deliverability, and ensure recipients have consented to receive text messages from your organization.

If your team plans to use SMS messaging through ATZ CRM, you must complete the required registration and provide details about how you collect SMS consent from contacts and candidates.

What Is A2P 10DLC?

A2P 10DLC is the registration framework used by U.S. mobile carriers for businesses sending application-generated text messages through standard 10-digit phone numbers.

Examples of messages that require registration include:

• Candidate communication
• Interview reminders
• Job updates
• Appointment notifications
• Customer follow-ups
• Marketing campaigns
• Automated SMS workflows

Without proper registration, SMS messages may be blocked, filtered, or experience reduced delivery rates.

Before You Begin

Before starting your registration, ensure you have access to:

Business Information

• Legal business name
• Business website
• Company address
• Tax Identification Number (EIN or equivalent)
• Company contact information

Messaging Information

• Description of how SMS will be used
• Sample text messages
• Estimated monthly message volume
• Intended recipient audience

Compliance Information

• Privacy Policy URL
• Terms of Service URL
• Details of your SMS opt-in process
• Screenshots or URLs showing where consent is collected

SMS Consent Requirements

A key part of A2P registration is demonstrating that recipients have explicitly agreed to receive text messages from your organization.

You must be able to explain how contacts provide consent before receiving SMS communications.

Acceptable consent methods may include:

• Website forms
• Application forms
• Registration forms
• Lead capture forms
• Customer onboarding processes
• Candidate application workflows

Consent must be collected before sending SMS messages.

Required Consent Disclosure

Wherever phone numbers are collected, users should be informed that they are agreeing to receive SMS communications.

A recommended disclosure is:

By providing your phone number, you agree to receive SMS messages from your organization regarding services, updates, notifications, or other relevant communications. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe and HELP for assistance.

You may adjust the wording to suit your business use case, provided it clearly explains SMS communication and opt-out options.

Privacy Policy Requirements

Your Privacy Policy should clearly explain:

• What information is collected
• How the information is used
• How phone numbers are stored and processed
• Whether SMS communications are sent
• How users can opt out

The Privacy Policy must be publicly accessible from your website.

Terms of Service Requirements

Your Terms of Service should include information regarding:

• Use of your services
• SMS communication practices
• User responsibilities
• Opt-out procedures
• Contact information for support

The Terms of Service should also be publicly available.

Sample SMS Messages

During registration, you may be asked to provide examples of the messages you intend to send.

Examples:

Recruiting

Hi John, this is Sarah from ABC Staffing. We'd like to schedule an interview regarding your recent application. Reply YES if interested.

Interview Reminder

Reminder: Your interview with ABC Staffing is scheduled for tomorrow at 10:00 AM. Reply HELP for assistance.

Customer Notification

Your appointment has been confirmed for June 15 at 2:00 PM. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Ensure all sample messages accurately represent the types of SMS communications your organization will send.

Information Required for Registration

You may be asked to provide the following information during the registration process:

Common Reasons Registrations Are Rejected

Registrations are often delayed or rejected for one of the following reasons:

• Missing Privacy Policy
• Missing Terms of Service
• Unclear SMS consent process
• No proof of opt-in collection
• Incomplete business information
• Sample messages that do not match the stated use case
• Missing STOP or HELP instructions

Review all information carefully before submitting your registration.

Best Practices

To maximize SMS deliverability and maintain compliance:

• Obtain consent before sending messages
• Clearly explain why SMS messages will be sent
• Keep records of opt-in activity
• Honor unsubscribe requests immediately
• Include opt-out instructions where appropriate
• Ensure your Privacy Policy and Terms remain up to date
• Only message recipients who have agreed to receive communications

Legal Risk & Penalties for Non-Compliance

Sending SMS messages without proper consent or failing to comply with A2P 10DLC requirements can result in significant operational and legal consequences.

Businesses are responsible for ensuring that recipients have explicitly agreed to receive text messages and that all SMS communications follow applicable carrier and regulatory guidelines.

Potential consequences of non-compliance may include:

Message Blocking

Mobile carriers may block or filter your SMS traffic if your registration is incomplete, your use case is misrepresented, or recipients have not provided valid consent.

Registration Suspension

Messaging campaigns that violate carrier policies may be suspended or terminated, preventing further SMS delivery until compliance issues are resolved.

Increased Carrier Scrutiny

Organizations with high complaint rates, spam reports, or inadequate consent records may face additional reviews and restrictions on their messaging activities.

Financial Penalties

Violations of SMS marketing and consumer protection regulations can lead to substantial fines and penalties, depending on the jurisdiction and nature of the violation.

For example, under U.S. regulations such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), businesses may face penalties for sending unsolicited text messages without proper consent.

Brand Reputation Damage

Unwanted or unauthorized SMS messages can negatively impact your organization's reputation and customer trust, potentially resulting in complaints, opt-outs, and reduced engagement.

Your Responsibility

By using SMS messaging services through ATZ CRM, you acknowledge that your organization is responsible for:

• Obtaining and maintaining valid recipient consent
• Providing accurate registration information
• Maintaining compliant Privacy Policies and Terms of Service
• Honoring opt-out requests promptly
• Following applicable carrier, industry, and legal requirements
• Keeping records of consent where required

ATZ CRM provides tools to support SMS communication workflows but does not determine, verify, or guarantee the legality of your messaging practices. It is your responsibility to ensure that all SMS communications comply with applicable laws, regulations, and carrier requirements.