Business professional completing requirements for TCR and 10DLC approval

Understanding Approval & Compliance

Before you can get into the impactful work of business texting, there is the necessary work of obtaining approval that must be done. What are the requirements, and why are they in place? We’re here to unpack it for you.

Business professional completing requirements for TCR and 10DLC approval
Important Notice
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Captivated does not provide legal or regulatory guidance. Customers are responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and carrier requirements, including TCPA, TCR, and 10DLC rules.

If your business wants to connect with customers through texting, compliance isn’t optional—it’s essential. The rules governing business texting have tightened over the last few years, and carriers and regulators alike are working to protect consumers from spam, fraud, and misuse of the messaging channel.

For businesses, that means two major requirements come into play:

  • 10DLC & The Campaign Registry (TCR): Carrier-driven regulations that require businesses to register their brand and campaigns before sending A2P (Application-to-Person) messages.
  • TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act): A federal law requiring prior express written consent, clear opt-in disclosures, and easy opt-out options for any marketing text messages.

The good news? By following these guidelines, you not only ensure compliance but also increase your deliverability, strengthen trust with your audience, and build lasting customer relationships.

Dive into the background, the requirements themselves, and tips to help get you approved and texting in no time:

What is 10DLC?

10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) refers to the messaging channel used by businesses to send application-to-person (A2P) text messages from standard local phone numbers. In recent years, mobile carriers introduced 10DLC requirements to improve message transparency, reduce spam, and protect consumers.

The Campaign Registry (TCR) is a centralized registry used by mobile carriers to verify business identities and register messaging use cases (often referred to as “campaigns”). Businesses are required by carriers to register their brand and messaging purpose before sending A2P traffic over 10DLC numbers.

These requirements are carrier-driven and enforced by mobile network operators, not by Captivated. Captivated provides technology tools that help facilitate the registration process, but does not control carrier approval decisions, timelines, or outcomes.

Failure to complete required registration may result in reduced message throughput, filtering, or blocking by carriers.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a United States federal law designed to protect consumers from unwanted or intrusive communications. While originally focused on phone calls, TCPA requirements also apply to certain text messaging practices.

At a high level, the TCPA is intended to ensure that businesses:

  • Obtain appropriate consent before sending text messages

  • Clearly disclose the nature and purpose of messages

  • Provide simple and immediate opt-out mechanisms

  • Respect consumer privacy and communication preferences

The TCPA distinguishes between informational messages and marketing or promotional messages, each of which may require different forms of consent. Businesses are responsible for understanding how their messaging use cases are classified and for collecting and maintaining the appropriate consent.

TCPA requirements are established by law and interpreted by regulators and courts. Captivated does not determine how the TCPA applies to a customer’s specific use case and does not provide legal advice regarding compliance. Customers should consult their own legal counsel to determine applicable obligations.

As part of the 10DLC registration process, mobile carriers require businesses to maintain a publicly accessible Privacy Policy on their website.

This Privacy Policy should clearly describe:

  • What types of personal information are collected (such as names and phone numbers)

  • How that information is used in connection with messaging

  • Whether information is shared with third parties

  • How individuals can request updates, corrections, or deletion of their data

The Privacy Policy must be easy to locate and understandable to consumers. In many cases, it is linked directly from messaging opt-in forms or referenced during the registration process.

These requirements are established by carriers as part of their efforts to promote transparency and consumer protection. Captivated does not define the contents of a customer’s Privacy Policy and does not provide legal advice regarding privacy compliance. Customers are responsible for ensuring their Privacy Policy meets applicable legal and carrier requirements.

In addition to a Privacy Policy, mobile carriers require businesses to maintain a publicly accessible Terms & Conditions page that includes disclosures related to their messaging program.

This page should generally include:

  • The business name associated with the messaging program

  • A description of the types of messages that may be sent

  • Clear opt-in and opt-out instructions (such as “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”)

  • Message frequency disclosures, where applicable

  • Customer support contact information

  • A statement that message and data rates may apply

The Terms & Conditions page does not need to be hosted by Captivated. It must simply be accessible to consumers and accurately describe the business’s messaging practices.

These requirements are defined by mobile carriers as part of 10DLC registration. Captivated does not control carrier standards or dictate the contents of a customer’s Terms & Conditions. Customers are responsible for ensuring their disclosures meet applicable carrier and legal requirements.

When collecting mobile phone numbers through website forms (such as contact forms, quote requests, or newsletter signups), mobile carriers require that businesses include clear and conspicuous consent language related to text messaging.

Website forms that collect phone numbers should:

  • Clearly disclose that the individual may receive text messages

  • Identify the business sending the messages

  • Include opt-out instructions (such as “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”)

  • Disclose that message and data rates may apply

  • Reference the business’s Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

Best practice is to pair this disclosure with an affirmative action, such as a required checkbox, to ensure consent is explicit and documented.

These requirements are established by carriers as part of 10DLC registration and consumer protection efforts. Captivated does not design or control customer website forms and does not provide legal advice regarding consent language. Customers are responsible for ensuring their forms and consent mechanisms comply with applicable laws and carrier requirements.

As part of the 10DLC registration process, carriers require businesses to submit information that helps verify identity and understand messaging use cases.

Common information requested during registration may include:

  • Legal business name and contact information

  • Business tax identification details

  • A brief description of the messaging purpose or use case

  • Sample message content

  • Information about how and where recipients opt in

Accurate and complete information is important. Incomplete or inconsistent submissions may result in registration delays, resubmission requests, or additional carrier review.

Captivated provides tools to help facilitate the submission of required information but does not control carrier review processes or approval timelines. Final approval decisions are made by mobile carriers and registry partners.

In addition to carrier registration requirements, businesses should regularly review their messaging practices to ensure ongoing compliance with the TCPA and related regulations.

A general TCPA compliance checklist may include:

  • Clearly documenting how and when consent was obtained

  • Ensuring consent aligns with the type of messages being sent

  • Providing clear opt-out instructions in all applicable messages

  • Honoring opt-out requests immediately

  • Retaining records of consent and opt-outs for an appropriate period

Messaging compliance is an ongoing responsibility. As laws, regulations, and carrier policies evolve, businesses should periodically review and update their practices.

Captivated provides messaging tools that support compliant communication but does not determine how TCPA requirements apply to a customer’s specific use case. Customers should consult their own legal counsel regarding compliance obligations.

Best Practices & Common Mistakes

Following industry best practices can help improve message deliverability, reduce carrier filtering, and build trust with recipients.

Best practices include:

  • Being transparent about why messages are sent and what recipients should expect

  • Sending messages that are timely, relevant, and appropriate for the relationship

  • Monitoring delivery reports, opt-out rates, and spam complaints

  • Keeping messaging frequency reasonable and consistent

Common mistakes to avoid:

  • Sending messages without clear or documented consent

  • Purchasing or importing contact lists without proper opt-in

  • Using unregistered or personal phone numbers for business messaging

  • Failing to include opt-out instructions in messages

  • Ignoring or delaying opt-out requests

By focusing on transparency, consent, and relevance, businesses can create messaging programs that respect recipients and align with carrier and regulatory expectations.

  • For additional TCPA guidance, see our TCPA & Messaging Compliance page at: https://captivated.works/safe-text/
Customer Support Team Representative fielding a customer inquiry and scheduling a customer training call for retention

Ready to start texting?

If you’re not yet in the midst of the approval process, and are wanting more information about successful business texting – let us help! At Captivated, we don’t just offer the most robust suite of texting features to fit your business: the level of service we offer is unmatched. Our dedicated, live Support team sets your team up for success from the start. Schedule a free discovery call and see the difference for yourself.

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