US A2P 10DLC Registration and SMS Compliance Setup

Businesses sending SMS messages to recipients in the United States must comply with A2P 10DLC regulations set by US mobile carriers.

These rules reduce spam, improve deliverability, and confirm recipients have consented to receive messages from your organization.

Quick Answer

Before using SMS messaging through ATZ CRM for US recipients, prepare your legal business details, SMS use case, message samples, consent process, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and opt-out language. Incomplete or unclear registration can lead to blocked or filtered messages.

What Is A2P 10DLC?

A2P 10DLC means Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code. It is the registration framework used by US mobile carriers for businesses that send SMS through standard 10-digit phone numbers.

Examples of messages that may 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 delivered at lower rates.

Before You Begin

Gather the required business, messaging, and compliance information before starting registration.

Business Information

• Legal business name.
• Business website.
• Company address.
• Tax identification number, such as 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 explicitly agree to receive SMS messages.

Acceptable consent collection 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.

For more detail, see: SMS Consent Requirements.

Required Consent Disclosure

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

Recommended disclosure:

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 can adjust the wording for your business use case, provided it clearly explains SMS communication and opt-out options.

Privacy Policy Requirements

Your Privacy Policy should explain:

• What information is collected.
• How 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:

• Use of your services.
• SMS communication practices.
• User responsibilities.
• Opt-out procedures.
• Support contact information.

The Terms of Service should also be publicly available.

Sample SMS Messages

During registration, you may be asked for examples of the messages your organization intends to send.

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.

Use samples that accurately represent the SMS messages your organization will send.

Information Required for Registration

Common Reasons Registrations Are Rejected

Registrations are often delayed or rejected because of:

• 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.

Best Practices

To improve 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.
• Keep your Privacy Policy and Terms updated.
• Message only recipients who agreed to receive communications.

Legal Risk and Penalties

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

Potential consequences include:

• Message blocking by carriers.
• Campaign suspension.
• Increased carrier scrutiny.
• Financial penalties under applicable regulations.
• Brand reputation damage from complaints or opt-outs.

For example, US regulations such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act may create penalties for unsolicited text messages without proper consent.

Your Responsibility

By using SMS messaging through ATZ CRM, 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 consent records where required.

ATZ CRM provides tools to support SMS workflows, but your organization is responsible for ensuring communications comply with applicable laws, regulations, and carrier requirements.

Troubleshooting

Registration Is Delayed

Review whether all business details, policy links, consent evidence, and sample messages are complete and consistent.

Messages Are Blocked or Filtered

Check A2P registration status, use case accuracy, opt-in proof, and whether recipients have valid consent.

Consent Wording Is Unclear

Update the disclosure near phone number collection to clearly explain SMS communication, message/data rates, and STOP/HELP instructions.

FAQs

Does A2P 10DLC apply outside the United States?

This registration framework is for SMS messaging to US recipients through standard 10-digit long code numbers.

Do candidate application forms need SMS disclosure?

Yes, if phone numbers collected through candidate workflows are used for SMS communication, the opt-in language should be clear and documented.

Can ATZ CRM guarantee legal compliance?

No. ATZ CRM supports SMS workflows, but your organization is responsible for legal, carrier, and consent compliance.