The agencies that enforce the Federal Do Not Call List are the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Each has a definition for telemarketing.

If you or your organization's activities fall under either of the definitions of telemarketing, you are required to comply with the Federal Do Not Call list. If your organization's activities do not fall under either of these definitions you may still be subject to various state laws concerning telemarketing.

Example: It has been more then two years since a consumer who is on the federal DNC list has visited their dentist. If the dentist contacts the consumer to ask them to set an appointment for a cleaning a violation of the Federal Do Not Call provisions has occurred and is subject to a $16,000 Federal fine.

"Telemarketing" is a plan, program or campaign conducted to induce the purchase of goods or services or to generate charitable contributions, by use of one or more telephones and which involves more than one interstate telephone call. The term does not include the solicitation of sales through the mailing of a qualified catalog.

The term "telemarketing" means the initiation of a telephone call or message for the purpose of encouraging the purchase or rental of, or investment in, property, goods, or services, which is transmitted to any person.