Telemarketing

By law, businesses that use telemarketing as a way to sell goods or services to BC consumers require a licence. Telemarketing is conducted over the telephone or via fax and is most often used to sell a product, request a charitable donation, or ask consumers to take part in a survey. Industries that rely heavily on telemarketing can include cable & internet providers, home security companies, financial institutions and charitable organizations. For some of these industries, a telemarketing licence is not required.

Read the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act.
Read the Telemarketer Licensing Regulation.

Do you need a licence?

You need a licence if…

  • you solicit donations in the form of money or property on behalf of another business, charity or society
  • you contact consumers via phone or fax with the intent to sell them goods or services
  • you accept payment for goods or services over the phone or via fax

You may not need a licence if…

  • you solicit donations on behalf of your own organization
  • you contact consumers to sell insurance and securities as defined under the BC Securities Act
  • your company is a savings institution as defined in the BC Interpretation Act

How to get licensed

You are required to provide the following to be a licensed telemarketing.

Licence application forms