Any company who is calling or texting is required by law to suppress phone numbers against the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry. A SAN (Subscription Account Number) must be purchased and renewed annually in order to download the DNC registry. Many callers find the rules relating to and process for acquiring a SAN to be confusing. Contact Center Compliance has put together this FAQ to help you better understand SANs.

What is a SAN number?

"SAN" stands for Subscription Account Number. If you conduct any form of telemarketing, you are required to purchase a SAN on an annual basis.

Do I need a SAN?

If you plan to conduct any sort of telemarketing, yes you do. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), “Every Seller should subscribe, pay the appropriate fee, and agree to the certification requirements to receive a Subscription Account Number (SAN) with the National Do Not Call Registry.”

How do I obtain a SAN number?

This number can be obtained directly from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://telemarketing.donotcall.gov.

Can I use someone else's SAN?

If a seller purchases some sort of telemarketing services from a telemarketer or service provider, the seller must share its Subscription Account Number (SAN) with that provider. But outside of this particular business relationship, nobody may share SANs with anyone else.

Is it appropriate to say “SAN Number”?

It’s a little bit like saying, “ATM Machine.” Which is to say, it’s technically duplicative (“Subscription Account Number Number”) but it’s also commonly used. In the interest of not being grammatical prescriptivists, we’ll support anyone saying, “SAN Number.”

Do I need to subscribe to all area codes with a SAN?

You must subscribe to every area code that you will be calling. You do not need to purchase a SAN for area codes that you will not call.

How many area codes can I subscribe to for free?

Your first 5 area codes are free. After that, you must pay a per-area-code fee.

What is the cost of purchasing a SAN?

For additional area codes during the first six months of your annual period, there is a fee of $69 (effective 10/1/2021) per area code. During the second six months, the charge to add each new area code will be $30. Once you confirm your area code selection you will not be allowed to remove or exchange any area codes. However, you may add area codes at any time.

The cost of subscribing to all area codes in the USA is $19,017 (effective 10/1/2021).

Are any callers exempt from the requirement of purchasing a SAN?

Some organizations may be able to receive exempt statues based on a determination from the FTC. If you are a charitable (non-profit) organization making your own calls, you are exempt from many restrictions of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). However, if you are a telemarketer calling on behalf of a charitable organization, these same exemptions do not apply. If you apply for exempt status, there is a waiting period of three business days for the FTC to process your application.

How do I get a copy of the DNC list?

If you are a for-profit seller that directly (or indirectly through vendors) makes outbound calls to sell goods or services to residential telephone numbers, and you do not fall under any applicable exemption, then you must purchase a subscription to the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry.