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The 10DLC Compliance Guide

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Brittany
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10DLC registration is a verification process required by US carriers to send messages from a 10 digit phone number. This process is designed to prevent spam and protect deliverability. Every submission undergoes a manual review by carrier-chosen vetting entities to ensure it meets all industry standards.


Everything outlined below will undergo a rigorous review by third party vetting entities. The review process is thorough and uncompromising. There are no shortcuts - all requirements must be met for approval. If any part of your website or registration fails to meet compliance standards, your submission will be rejected. To ensure your registration moves as quickly as possible, please adhere strictly to the guidelines below. 

 

⚠️ Important Note on Managing Your Timeline⚠️
The speed of your approval is directly tied to the accuracy of your initial submission. 

⚡️The Fast Track (3-5 business days): Campaigns can be approved in as little as a few business days when the initial submission meets all 10DLC requirements and website compliance standards. 
🐢 The Standard Window (2-6 weeks): This is the typical timeframe when initial submissions are insufficient or websites require additional updates. Each round of corrections and resubmission adds significant delays. 

⌛️ To avoid a multi-week back-and-forth: Please treat all requirements below as mandatory. If your website or registration fails to meet any of the standards listed below, your campaign will be rejected and the vetting clock will reset.

 

🆘 Need a Pre-Check? If you are unsure if your website meets these standards, please reach out to support@hustle.com before hitting submit. We are here to help you get it right the first time so you can start messaging sooner.

For step by steps on how to fill out the brand and campaign registration forms, hop over to How do I register for 10DLC with Hustle?

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🛑 Registering your Brand

Now that your website is compliant and ready to go, let's make sure you're ready to register your brand! For the purposes of 10DLC, a brand is defined as a legal entity with an Employer Identification Number or EIN. A brand is registered to inform carriers who is sending traffic to their subscribers.

 

✅ Confirm your EIN (nine-digit tax identification number)

An EIN is required to register a brand for 10DLC.

If there is an issue with your TCR brand review and it is stuck in Pending status, send your IRS determination letter to support@hustle.com for the fastest resolution. If you have not yet received a determination letter, please note that you may receive a lower TCR score until your entity status has been confirmed by the IRS. 

 

✅ Apply for a Campaign Verify token:

This step is only for political campaigns, political parties, PACs, and 527’s. If you are not one of those types of entities, you can skip this step. If you are one of those entities, you must get a token from Campaign Verify. Note that this process happens outside of Hustle. Once Campaign Verify has completed their vetting, they will give you a CV Token for the current political cycle that you will use for your Brand registration.. 

  • Your CV token will look something like this: cv|1.0|tcr|10dlc|f1234eaa-72fb-444c-987c-98d6b4399ad9|dfadlWJp4HkSf063HZJbnszPwO-XIdCOYBXKQLD8tw
  • When registering your brand, you will select political committee = yes and then enter your CV token in the field provided.

A CV token can only be used for one brand registration. If you used a token for a different texting vendor, it cannot be used again in Hustle. If you have an active CV account and need a second token, you can get one by following CV’s instructions here. For any questions about Campaign Verify's process, you can reach out to their support team at support@campaignverify.org

 

Once you've gotten this info, you can Register your Brand in Hustle! 🥳 In the meantime, let's move on to what you need in order to register your Campaign! 

 

🛑 Confirming Website and Disclosure Compliance!

Before registering your 10DLC campaign, you should ensure your website's compliance! Most 10DLC rejections are caused by non-compliant websites!  TCR will check for the following content when reviewing your registration and if they are unable to verify any requirements, they will reject your campaign. TCR will look at the website associated with your brand entity to confirm the presence of the following:

  • Compliant and easily accessible Terms and Conditions: Your Terms and Conditions must have an SMS disclosure that includes the types of messages consumers can expect to receive, texting cadence, message and data rate notices, privacy policy links, HELP information, and opt-out instructions. You can find more about compliant Terms and Conditions in the ✅ Confirm your Terms and Conditions compliance section of this article
  • Compliant and easily accessible Privacy Policy: Your Privacy Policy must include a disclaimer that no mobile opt-in will be shared with third parties for marketing purposes. You can find more about compliant Terms and Conditions in the ✅ Confirm your Privacy Policy compliance section of this article
  • Compliant opt-in disclosures: You must have a compliant opt in process that can be easily demonstrated to TCR. Though there are other methods for gathering opt-ins, we strongly recommend having a compliant opt-in form on your website as this is the easiest method for TCR to confirm. You can find more about compliant Terms and Conditions in the ✅ Review and confirm your Opt-in language and methods section of this article
  • No prohibited content: If there’s any prohibited content* on the website, the campaign will be rejected. The following types of content are prohibited on 10DLC: CBD, Cannabis, Sex, Hate, Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco. 

🛑 Registering your Campaign

Once your website is compliant and your Brand is registered, it's time to register a campaign. Campaigns are defined as the use-cases or the kinds of messages brands text to audiences. (e.g. Public Service Announcements, Political, Higher Education, etc.) Campaign Registration informs carriers what type of traffic is being sent to their subscribers.

Note: One campaign can be applied to up to 49 groups in Hustle to use for messaging, so most clients will not need to register more than one campaign. Registering multiple identical campaigns at once can result in a rejections.

All TCR campaign submissions will be subject to a manual review by the downstream Direct Connect Aggregator (DCA). This review process can take up to one business week, and if rejected will take longer. To avoid rejection be sure to follow all recommendations below.

 

✅ Choose your use case(s) 

Use cases describe the kind of messages you will be sending for this campaign. You will select your use case when registering your campaign. Before registering, please reach out to support@hustle.com for advice on which use case to select. 

 

✅ Write a clear and accurate description of your campaign:

The description should align with the selected use case and should describe how you'll be using this campaign, including the use case(s) selected previously.

  • If donations are collected, it must be clearly stated in the campaign description! ("This campaign is to ask donors if they would like to make a donation to <Organization>."
  • If this campaign is for commercial sales marketing it must be stated in the description.
  • If the use case and the description do not align, the campaign will be rejected.
  • If multiple use cases are registered, describe all use cases in the description.

IMPORTANT: If the use case and the description do not align, the campaign will be rejected. For example, if you chose the Mixed use case and then select the sub use cases "Polling and Voting" and "Account Notification", you could write something like the following: 

"Messaging members about upcoming polling and for notifications about their account/membership." 

 

✅ Select your messaging frequency: 

Be sure you are consistent in communicating your messaging frequency. All of your phone collection forms should state the messaging frequency that the subscriber is opting into. This must match the frequency stated in your opt in disclosures and your Terms and Conditions.

 

✅ Confirm if you will be asking for donations: 

The campaign registration form will ask if this campaign is collecting donations. 

 

IMPORTANT: If you are collecting donations with this campaign, you must...

- Disclose this on all opt in forms
- State so in your campaign description 
- State so in your Terms and Conditions
- Check the box that asks if you are collecting donation
- Provide a sample message demonstrating a donation ask (sample messages will be collected further along in the campaign registration form.)

 

✅ Review and confirm your Opt-in language and methods:

You must have a compliant opt in process that can be easily demonstrated to TCR. All entities sending text messages are required to follow CTIA guidelines for text messaging opt-in process. Opt-ins must be 1 to 1, can't be shared with third parties, and can't be implied. It must be clear, conspicuous, and can't be obscured within the terms & conditions and/or other agreement(s). 

 

✨ Opt-in disclosure language requirements:

  • Opt-in disclosure: Your opt in language must include an opt-in disclosure statement. (By providing your cell phone number, you agree to receive text messages to your number...")

  • Brand name: Your disclosure must state the name of the organization sending messages. 

  • Message types: Your disclosure must state what kind of messages are being sent. (organization updates, cart reminders, ways to get involved, organizational updates, advocacy opportunities, etc.)

    •  

      • Donation Solicitation Disclosure: If you will ask for donations with this campaign, you must state so on all opt informs. (By submitting this form and signing up for texts, you consent to receive donation asks, and informational messages from <Organization>.")

      • Sales Marketing Disclosure: If you are sending sales/commercial marketing text messages such as promos or discounts, you must state so in on all opt-in forms. ("By providing your cell phone number, you agree to receive <marketing, promos, cart reminders, etc.> calls and texts.")

  • Message frequency disclosure: ("Msg frequency <varies, daily, weekly, monthly, etc.>")

  • Message and data rates disclosure: ("Msg and data rates may apply.")

  • HELP information: ("Reply HELP for help.") 

  • Opt-out information: ("Reply STOP to unsubscribe.")

    • Acceptable opt-out language must include at least one of the following words: end, stop, unsubscribe, or arrêt. If you’re using an opt-out phrase, it must be separated by spaces (i.e., STOP2END is not acceptable; it should be STOP 2 END).

  • Privacy Policy link

  • Terms & Conditions link

  • Disclosure Placement: The above must all visible above or near the 'submit' button so subscribers can read the disclosures it before subscribing.

  • Opt-in checkbox: There are two scenarios where you must include an opt-in checkbox on your opt in form so that the end user can choose whether or not to opt into marketing messages. The checkbox cannot be pre-checked

    • If you are sending sales marketing messages

    • If the phone number field in your form is required

✨ Compliant opt-in language: "By providing your cell phone number, you agree to <message types> texts to your number from <Organization>.  Msg frequency varies. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Reply HELP for help. Msg and data rates may apply. <Privacy Policy link> <Terms & Conditions link>

 

 

 

✨ Compliant opt-in method examples: 

The Campaign Registration form will ask about your opt-in methods. While there are several opt-in process methods you can choose from, we highly recommend having opt-in available for your website as that is the easiest method to get verified and approved. 

 

1️⃣ Entering a phone number through a website form with all required disclosures.

Opt-in forms on your website is the most likely method to be approved, as this is the easiest method for TCR to verify. For this method, TCR will check all phone collection forms on your website to confirm that they contain the required disclosures. Missing any of the required disclosures stated above will result in a rejection.

PLEASE NOTE: If your phone collection forms require the user to input information before they will see required disclosures, you will need to clearly outline the steps one must take to arrive at the disclosures in the "additional information" section of your campaign registration. 

Below is an example of how an organization has outlined this process in their campaign registration so that TCR was able to find the required disclosures 

1. Go to our events page here.
2. Select the event you're signing up to participate in
3. Then they will input phone number and see the opt-in disclosure, a link to our Ts&Cs, and privacy policy, our message frequency disclosure, customer care contact info and our opt-out information.

 

⚠️ WARNING: A donation cannot be a requirement to opt-in. While donation forms that collect phone numbers must include the following disclosures and can be used to process opt ins, you need at least one online phone collection form that is not a donation page. This can be an event sign up form, a contact form, a volunteer form, etc. During registration, you will be asked for the link to an opt in form. Be sure to submit a link to a non-donation opt-in form.

 

 

2️⃣ Sending a message from the consumer’s mobile device that contains an advertising keyword.

Example: Consumers opt in by texting START to (111) 222-3333.

Note: If this is your opt-in method, your opt-in description on the campaign form will need to include a link to a webpage where the keyword opt-in is advertised. This is needed to show TCR how the consumer/recipient is informed to text the keyword/initiate the text messaging conversation. We also recommend that this page includes all required disclosures.

Note: If this is your opt in method, the phone number to text into must be a 10 digit phone number to remain in compliance with 10DLC. 

 

3️⃣ Signing up at a point of sale (POS) or another message sender on-site location.

If the opt-in is collected this way, you must provide a copy of the opt-in script read to the consumer

 

4️⃣ Opting in over the phone using interactive voice response (IVR) technology.

If the opt-in is collected this way, you must provide a copy of the opt-in script read to the consumer

  •  

❌ Non-Compliant opt-in method examples (based on rejected campaign submissions): 

1️⃣ The Voter File, or accessing any public database with phone number information

2️⃣ Purchased list of phone numbers 

3️⃣ Texting existing customers without prior explicit opt-in 

4️⃣ Pre-checking an opt-incheck box on a phone collection form. 


✅ Review and confirm your opt-out methods:

Acceptable opt-out disclosures must include at least one of the following words: end, stop, unsubscribe, or arrêt (French). If you’re using an opt-out phrase, it must be separated by spaces (i.e., STOP2END is not acceptable; it should be STOP 2 END). Opt out instructions must be included in:

  • Phone collection form disclosures (reply STOP to opt out)
  • Your Privacy policy
    • Example: “If you wish to be removed from receiving future communications, you can opt out by texting STOP, QUIT, END, REVOKE, OPT OUT, CANCEL, or UNSUBSCRIBE.”
  • Response message to Key Word opt ins
    • Example: "Thank you for opting in to receive recurring messages from [Company Name]. Msg frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help. Reply STOP to cancel."

✅ Check your sample messages 

You will need to provide at least one sample message for each use case type you selected. Your sample message(s) should reflect the kinds of messages your brand will send for each use case. The sample message must also reflect the information you entered for your campaign description. Your sample messages will need to provide the following:

  • An introduction for the contact and the person texting ("Hi <contact name>! This is <agent name>")
  • Must state the DBA of the Organization/Brand the texts are being sent from ("with <organization name>
  • Include opt-out language (which is included in the Hustle form and will be appended to all of your sample messages.)
  • If you plan to send links (eg donation form links, RSVP links etc), we highly recommend including one of those links in at least one sample message. It must be an actual link example. Entering a link variable like "<link>" will not suffice. Failure to do so can result in increased flitration. 

Sample Message Example: Hi <Contact>! This is <Agent> with <Organization> Have you RSVP'd for our event coming up? You can RSVP at <link> Reply STOP to Opt Out

 

IMPORTANT: Your sample messages, campaign description, and selected use case(s) must all match and make sense together. If they do not match, your campaign will be rejected.

Example of mismatched content:
Campaign Description: We will be contacting members with event updates.
Use Case: Mixed > Polling and voting
Sample Message: Hi <Contact>! This is <Agent> with <Organization> Can we count on you to donate to our End of Year fundraising goal? Reply STOP to Opt Out

A campaign submission with the above information would be rejected because the campaign says it is for event updates, the use case is for polling and voting, and the sample message is about donations. 

 

✅ Confirm your Privacy Policy compliance:

Per CTIA guidelines, message senders must maintain a readily accessible, compliant Privacy Policy. The Privacy Policy should be easy to access from your brand's main website, and should be linked on all forms collecting phone numbers.  

The most important aspect of the Privacy Policy mandates clearly describing how consumer data will be used and shared (if applicable), and how consumers can contact the message sender. The language presented in a sender's Privacy Policy is heavily scrutinized to ensure the message sender doesn't improperly claim to have the consumer’s consent to share end-user data with third parties for marketing purposes. A compliant policy must explicitly state that consumer information is not shared with third-parties for marketing purposes. If your brand does engage in information sharing with third parties, we recommend adding language to your privacy policy to specify that text messaging is excluded. For example: "Text messaging opt-in is excluded from information sharing with third parties." Your privacy policy should include the following details:

  • The nature of the information you collect.
  • The methods by which you gather information from your users.
  • The ways in which you utilize and distribute any collected information.
  • Clearly states that you do not share or sell collected information without consent or unless legally obligated to do so.
  • Clearly states that mobile opt ins are not share with third parties
  • Steps by which users can unsubscribe/opt-out from your communications.

⚠️ Important, Please Note: The absence of a privacy policy or the presence of a non-compliant one will result in the rejection of your campaign. Non-compliance typically pertains to the sharing of consumer information with third-parties for marketing purposes. The Privacy Policy must unequivocally state that personal information will not be shared with third parties without consent or unless legally required.

 

✨ Privacy Policy Generators ✨: Privacy Policy Generators can facilitate in creating a privacy policy. Please be sure that you update, edit, and adjust any and all information to align with your specific brands purposes and policies.

The following websites offer such generators:

 

We also have a sample compliant Privacy Policy available at Sample 10DLC Registration Clauses

 

✅ Confirm your Terms and Conditions compliance: 

Per 10DLC requirements, you'll need to have a readily available Terms and Conditions page. The Terms and Conditions should be easy to access from your brand's main website, and should be linked on all forms collecting phone numbers.  

In your Terms and Conditions, be sure to set forth the legal agreements between your service and its users, including usage guidelines, sale modalities, rights, liabilities and especially the following:

  • Brand name
  • Types of messages the consumer can expect to receive 
    • If you are sending sales/commercial marketing text messages such as promos or discounts OR fundraising texts, that must be disclosed here as well
  • Message frequency disclosure (this must match the message frequency you enter in your campaign registration and the frequency on your opt in disclosure forms).
  • "Message and data rates may apply" disclosure
  • Customer care contact information (Text HELP for help, contact [email address] for support, etc.)
  • Opt-out information (Text STOP to cancel)
  • A link to your Privacy Policy

 

Sample SMS Terms and Conditions: 

Messaging Terms & Conditions
By providing your cell phone number, you agree to receive texts to your number from . Texts will include . Msg frequency . Reply STOP to opt-out. Reply HELP for help or more information. Msg and data rates may apply. <Privacy Policy link> <Terms & Conditions link>

You can also access a full Terms and Conditions sample here Sample 10DLC Registration Clauses

 

 

⭐ Once your campaign is submitted in Hustle, the manual review process typically takes several days to one business week, so check back for updates.

Reach out to support@hustle.com with any questions on the registration process. 

✨Pro Tip! While you're waiting for your campaign to be approved, get started on setting up your groups, adding agents, uploading contacts and creating goal drafts!  

 

 

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