A2P 10DLC (Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code) is the industry standard for sending business text messages in the United States. It requires businesses to register their brand and messaging campaigns with mobile carriers before sending SMS messages through standard 10-digit phone numbers.
If you use SMS for marketing, appointment reminders, or customer communications, A2P 10DLC registration is mandatory. Non-compliant messages face filtering, blocking, or complete delivery failure.
What is A2P 10DLC?
A2P 10DLC breaks down into three components:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| A2P | Application-to-Person messaging (automated texts from software to humans) |
| 10DLC | 10-Digit Long Code (standard phone numbers like 555-123-4567) |
| Registration | Carrier-mandated verification of business identity and messaging purpose |
Before A2P 10DLC, businesses could send texts from any phone number without verification. This led to widespread spam and fraud. The major carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) introduced A2P 10DLC in 2021 to create accountability and protect consumers.
Key Point: A2P 10DLC applies to all business SMS sent through standard phone numbers in the U.S., regardless of volume or industry.
Why A2P 10DLC Matters for Your Business
Delivery Rates
Unregistered messages face aggressive filtering. Registered campaigns see delivery rates of 95%+ compared to 60-70% for unregistered traffic. For businesses relying on SMS marketing to reach customers, this difference directly impacts revenue.
Message Throughput
Registration determines how many messages you can send per second:
- Unregistered: 1-3 messages per second (with high filtering)
- Low Trust Score: 15-75 messages per second
- High Trust Score: 225+ messages per second
Legal Compliance
A2P 10DLC registration is now a legal requirement for business SMS. Combined with opt-in compliance requirements, businesses must maintain proper documentation and registration to avoid penalties.
Carrier Penalties
Sending unregistered A2P traffic can result in:
- Message blocking
- Number suspension
- Financial penalties ($10,000+ per violation)
- Permanent carrier blacklisting
The A2P 10DLC Registration Process
Registration happens in two stages through The Campaign Registry (TCR), an industry organization that manages A2P 10DLC compliance.
Step 1: Brand Registration
Brand registration verifies your business identity. You’ll need:
- Legal business name (must match EIN records)
- EIN (Employer Identification Number)
- Business address
- Website URL
- Business type (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, etc.)
- Industry vertical
Registration Fee: One-time $4 brand registration fee
Step 2: Campaign Registration
After brand approval, register each messaging campaign. A campaign defines a specific use case for your messages.
Required Information:
- Use case (marketing, appointment reminders, notifications, etc.)
- Sample messages (at least 2 examples of actual messages you’ll send)
- Opt-in description (how customers consent to receive messages)
- Opt-out keywords (typically STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL)
- Help keywords (typically HELP, INFO)
Campaign Fee: $15 per campaign (quarterly)
Common Campaign Use Cases
| Use Case | Description | Typical Trust Score |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | Promotional messages, offers, sales | Medium |
| Notifications | Order updates, delivery alerts | High |
| Appointment Reminders | Booking confirmations, reminders | High |
| Account Alerts | Security notifications, password resets | High |
| Customer Care | Support conversations, follow-ups | High |
| Mixed | Multiple use cases combined | Varies |
Understanding Trust Scores
After registration, TCR assigns a Trust Score based on your business profile. This score determines your message throughput limits.
Factors That Affect Trust Scores
Higher Trust Scores:
- Established business (2+ years operating)
- Verified website with clear business presence
- Direct brand registration (not through reseller)
- Clean messaging history
- Complete, accurate registration information
Lower Trust Scores:
- New businesses
- Sole proprietors without EIN
- Incomplete business profiles
- Previous compliance violations
- High-risk industries
Trust Score Tiers
| Trust Score | Daily Message Limit | Messages Per Second |
|---|---|---|
| Low (1-24) | 2,000 | 15 |
| Medium-Low (25-49) | 10,000 | 35 |
| Medium (50-74) | 75,000 | 75 |
| Medium-High (75-99) | 150,000 | 150 |
| High (100) | 300,000+ | 225+ |
A2P 10DLC Compliance Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your business SMS program meets A2P 10DLC requirements:
Registration Requirements
- Brand registered with TCR
- Campaign(s) registered for each use case
- Phone numbers associated with registered campaigns
- Quarterly campaign fees paid
Message Content Requirements
- Business name identified in messages
- Opt-out instructions included (e.g., “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”)
- Messages match registered use case
- No prohibited content (cannabis, firearms, adult content, etc.)
Consent Requirements
- Prior express written consent for marketing messages
- Clear opt-in language at point of consent
- Consent records maintained and accessible
- Opt-out requests honored within 24 hours
Ongoing Compliance
- Message content matches registered samples
- Contact lists are properly maintained
- Complaints and opt-outs tracked
- Regular compliance audits conducted
For detailed consent requirements, see our guide on navigating opt-in compliance.
A2P 10DLC vs. Other Business Messaging Options
Short Codes (5-6 Digit Numbers)
Pros:
- Highest throughput (100+ messages per second)
- Strong brand recognition
- Best for high-volume campaigns
Cons:
- Expensive ($500-$1,500/month)
- 8-12 week approval process
- Dedicated to single brand/campaign
Best for: Large enterprises with high-volume messaging needs
Toll-Free Numbers
Pros:
- Recognizable 1-800 format
- Good for customer service use cases
- Faster approval than short codes
Cons:
- Lower throughput than short codes
- Verification required (similar to 10DLC)
- Higher per-message costs
Best for: Customer support and service communications
A2P 10DLC (Standard Phone Numbers)
Pros:
- Cost-effective for small businesses
- Local presence with standard phone numbers
- Moderate throughput for most use cases
- Works with existing phone numbers
Cons:
- Trust score limits throughput
- Registration required
- Lower throughput than short codes
Best for: Small and medium businesses, local companies, most standard use cases
How SMBcrm Handles A2P 10DLC Registration
SMBcrm simplifies A2P 10DLC compliance with built-in registration tools and guided workflows.
Streamlined Registration
When you set up SMS in SMBcrm, the platform guides you through:
- Brand verification - Enter your business details once
- Campaign registration - Select from pre-configured use cases
- Number assignment - Associate your phone numbers with campaigns
- Compliance monitoring - Track message delivery and compliance status
Automated Compliance Features
SMBcrm’s workflow automation includes compliance safeguards:
- Automatic opt-out handling - STOP requests processed instantly
- Consent tracking - Records stored with contact profiles
- Message templates - Pre-approved content for common use cases
- Delivery reporting - Real-time visibility into message status
Integrated SMS Marketing
A2P 10DLC registration integrates with SMBcrm’s complete SMS marketing toolkit:
- Bulk messaging campaigns
- Automated appointment reminders
- Two-way customer conversations
- Text-to-pay payment requests
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A2P 10DLC registration required for all business texting?
Yes. All A2P (business-to-consumer) SMS traffic sent through 10-digit phone numbers in the United States requires registration. This includes marketing messages, appointment reminders, notifications, and customer service texts.
How long does A2P 10DLC registration take?
Brand registration typically processes within 24-48 hours. Campaign registration takes 1-7 business days depending on the use case and carrier review requirements. Some high-risk industries may require additional verification.
What happens if I send messages without registration?
Unregistered messages face aggressive carrier filtering. Your messages may be blocked entirely, delivered with significant delays, or flagged as spam. Continued non-compliance can result in number suspension and financial penalties.
Can I use my existing phone number for A2P 10DLC?
Yes. You can register existing 10-digit phone numbers for A2P 10DLC campaigns. The number must be associated with a registered brand and campaign before sending business messages.
How do I improve my Trust Score?
Trust Scores are primarily determined during initial registration based on your business profile. To maximize your score: register as a direct brand (not through a reseller), provide complete and accurate business information, maintain a professional website, and ensure your business has been operating for at least 2 years.
What’s the difference between A2P and P2P messaging?
A2P (Application-to-Person) is business messaging sent through software platforms. P2P (Person-to-Person) is individual communication between people. Carriers apply different rules and filtering to each type. Using P2P channels for business messaging violates carrier terms of service.
Do I need separate campaign registrations for different message types?
Generally, yes. If you send both marketing messages and appointment reminders, these should be registered as separate campaigns. However, some platforms allow “mixed” campaigns that cover multiple use cases. Check with your SMS provider for specific guidance.
Are there industries that can’t use A2P 10DLC?
Certain industries face restrictions or outright bans, including cannabis, firearms, adult content, gambling, and debt collection. High-risk industries like CBD, cryptocurrency, and alcohol may require additional verification and face lower trust scores.
Getting Started with Compliant Business SMS
A2P 10DLC registration is essential for any business using SMS to communicate with customers. The registration process protects both businesses and consumers while ensuring reliable message delivery.
Next steps:
- Gather your business documentation (EIN, business address, website)
- Identify your messaging use cases
- Prepare sample messages and opt-in language
- Complete registration through your SMS platform
- Test message delivery before launching campaigns
Ready to implement compliant SMS marketing? Start your free trial with SMBcrm and experience streamlined A2P 10DLC registration with built-in compliance tools.
