Salon Receptionist: Can Your AI Receptionist Text or Call Clients Back? FCC Opt-Out Rules for Salons, Spas and Med Spas (2026)

What changes on November 25, 2026?

The FCC adopted a Report and Order on September 30, 2026 and released it on October 1, 2026 (FCC 26-67). It was published on October 26, 2026 with an effective date of November 25, 2026 (Federal Register, 91 FR 67214, October 26, 2026). The rule itself sits in 47 CFR 64.1200, paragraphs (a)(10) to (a)(12). Here is what the new text says, in plain terms:

• Opt-outs can be limited to one type of informational message. If a client opts out in reply to an informational message, such as an appointment reminder, the business may treat that as covering only that category of informational messages, not every message it sends.
• Marketing opt-outs cover all marketing. An opt-out sent in reply to a call or text that advertises or is telemarketing stops all future marketing calls and texts from that business.
• You can name one opt-out method. A business can make one of three methods its only opt-out route: a voice or key-press opt-out on a call, a reply text with a standard word, or a website or phone number it gives for opt-outs. It has to state that method clearly in each call or text. A business that doesn't name one must accept opt-outs made in any reasonable way.
• Standard words stay the same. The reply words are stop, quit, end, revoke, opt out, cancel and unsubscribe. A text sender that uses reply texts as its only route can mention just one word, such as STOP, in each text, but must honor all seven.
• 10 business days still applies. Opt-outs must be honored within a reasonable time, no later than 10 business days after they are received.
• Confirmation texts are still allowed. One text that only confirms the opt-out and has no marketing in it is fine. If it is sent within five minutes, it is presumed to fall within the client's consent.

The order also says it replaces the delayed "revoke all" requirement, which an earlier FCC order had pushed back to January 31, 2027 (FCC order DA 26-12, January 6, 2026).

What were the rules before this change?

The FCC's 2024 consent order set the current opt-out rules, effective April 11, 2025, with the "revoke all" part delayed (FCC order DA 26-12). Since then, businesses have had to accept opt-outs made by any reasonable method within 10 business days.

The FCC is also asking for comments on further changes in the same document, including whether to shorten the 10-business-day window and whether to require that texts allow replies (FCC 26-67, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking).

Do these rules apply to an AI receptionist?

It depends on what it does. The TCPA consent rules cover calls and texts made with an autodialer, and calls made with an artificial or prerecorded voice. The FCC confirmed in February 2024 that AI-generated voices count as "artificial" voices under the TCPA, so outbound calls made with an AI voice need the called person's prior express consent unless an emergency purpose or exemption applies (FCC declaratory ruling FCC 24-17).

Answering is different from calling out. When a client calls your salon and an AI receptionist picks up, the client started the call. The consent and opt-out rules above are about the calls you place and the texts you send. So the questions are about the outbound side:

• Does it send missed-call text-backs?
• Does it send booking confirmations, reminders or waitlist texts?
• Does it place calls to clients, for example to fill a cancellation?
• Does it ever send offers or promotions?

Each needs the right consent and a way to opt out, and promotions need written consent. See should your salon text clients? and how to text-enable your salon number and what 10DLC means.

Is a missed-call text-back covered?

A missed-call text-back goes to someone who just called you, which is why many businesses treat it as a reply rather than a cold message. It is still a text your business sends with software, so treat it like any other automated text: keep it about the call, leave out promotions and give a clear way to opt out. See what missed-call text-back is for salons.

What should salons, spas and med spas do before November 25?

A practical checklist, not legal advice:

1. List every automated message you send. Text-backs, confirmations, reminders, waitlist texts, review requests and promotions.
2. Sort them into informational and marketing. A facial reminder is informational; "20% off lash fills" is marketing. The new rule treats opt-outs differently for each.
3. Check your consent records. Know where each client agreed to texts and keep that record.
4. Decide on one opt-out method, or accept all reasonable ones. If you choose reply texts as your only route, put a line like "Reply STOP to opt out" in every text, and make sure all seven standard words work.
5. Make opt-outs reach every system. If several tools send texts, ask each provider how opt-outs flow between them.
6. Set a clock. Process opt-outs well inside 10 business days.
7. Train your front desk. If a client says "please stop texting me" on a call, at the desk or by email, and you haven't named a single opt-out route, that can count as an opt-out too.
8. Med spas: keep health details out of texts. Texts about treatments can carry patient information, so check your HIPAA setup as well as the FCC rules. See the best AI receptionist for med spas.

What if you run several locations?

Groups add one more step. If each salon or spa sends its own texts, decide whether an opt-out at one location should apply at all of them, and make sure your systems can share it. One clear policy across the group is easier to follow. CallPad can run one shared number for every location or a separate line for each, with a central dashboard that reports per location and group-wide. See CallPad for salon and spa groups.

How CallPad helps

CallPad is an AI receptionist built for salons, spas, med spas and beauty businesses in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. For most clients, the conversation starts with them reaching out to you:

• answers every incoming call live, 24/7, including after hours and when your team is with clients
• books, moves and cancels appointments in real time in your booking system, including spa day passes
• texts back callers you miss, so a missed call still gets a reply
• answers WhatsApp and email (Instagram, Messenger and TikTok coming soon)
• transfers callers to your team or takes a message, so your staff can call the client back, with every call transcribed in your dashboard
• offers a BAA for med spas, included in every plan
• speaks several languages; ask our team
• sets up in about 10 minutes

Your business stays in charge of what your texts say and how you handle consent and opt-outs. Ask our team how texting is set up for your account.

CallPad books in real time into Zenoti, Vagaro, Meevo, Cliniko, Mindbody, Booker, Square, GlossGenius, Setmore, Zoho Bookings, SalonIQ, Salon Manager, Shortcuts, Simple Salon, Google Calendar, Boulevard and Book4Time. Phorest works when the salon gets its own API key from Phorest, and any other system works where the salon provides its own open API key. No CallPad Fresha, Treatwell, Timely, Booksy, Kitomba, Pabau or Jane App integration yet; contact us and join the waitlist. Using Trybe? Contact us about the CallPad Trybe integration.

How much does CallPad cost?

CallPad starts from US$150 per month per location in the US (£100 in the UK, A$200 in Australia and C$190 in Canada). It's a flat rate with all minutes included. Pricing for salon and spa groups is custom, and setup takes about 10 minutes.

Sources

• Federal Register, 91 FR 67214, October 26, 2026: final rule, effective November 25, 2026
• FCC 26-67: Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, adopted September 30, 2026, released October 1, 2026
• FCC order DA 26-12: waiver of the "revoke all" requirement to January 31, 2027, released January 6, 2026
• FCC declaratory ruling FCC 24-17: AI-generated voices are "artificial" under the TCPA, released February 8, 2024
• 47 CFR 64.1200: current text of the FCC robocall and robotext rules

Related guides

• Should your salon text clients?
• How to get one number for salon calls and texts
• What is missed-call text-back for salons?
• Best missed-call text-back tools for salons, spas and clinics
• Can your salon record phone calls?
• CallPad for salon and spa groups

Frequently asked questions

When do the new FCC opt-out rules take effect?

November 25, 2026. The FCC adopted the changes on September 30, 2026 (FCC 26-67), and they were published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2026 (91 FR 67214) with that effective date. The change also replaces the delayed "revoke all" requirement that had been pushed back to January 31, 2027.

Does an AI receptionist that only answers incoming calls fall under these rules?

The consent and opt-out rules discussed here are about calls a business makes and texts it sends using an autodialer or an artificial or prerecorded voice. Answering a call a client placed to you is different. If your AI receptionist also sends texts or places calls, those messages are where consent and opt-outs come in.

Do AI voices count as "artificial" voices under the TCPA?

Yes. In February 2024 the FCC confirmed that the TCPA's limits on "artificial or prerecorded voice" calls cover current AI technologies that generate human voices (FCC 24-17). So an outbound call made with an AI voice needs the called person's prior express consent unless an emergency purpose or exemption applies.

If a client replies STOP to a reminder, can I still send other messages?

From November 25, 2026, the FCC lets a business treat an opt-out sent in reply to an informational message, such as an appointment reminder, as covering only that category of informational messages. An opt-out in reply to a marketing message stops all marketing calls and texts from that business.

Which reply words count as an opt-out?

The FCC rule lists stop, quit, end, revoke, opt out, cancel and unsubscribe. A business that makes reply texts its only opt-out method can mention just one of these words in each text, for example "Reply STOP to opt out", but it still has to honor all seven.

How fast do I have to honor an opt-out?

Within a reasonable time, and no later than 10 business days after you receive the request. The FCC is asking for comments on whether to shorten that window, so check for updates.

Can I send a text confirming that a client opted out?

Yes. One text that only confirms the opt-out, with no marketing in it, is allowed. If it goes out within five minutes it is presumed to be within the client's consent.

How does CallPad fit with these rules?

CallPad answers incoming calls live, books appointments into your booking system, and texts back callers you miss. Your business decides how it handles consent and opt-outs; ask our team how texting is set up for your account.

Talk to CallPad

Want every call answered and every missed caller texted back? Talk to CallPad about your salon, spa or med spa, and tell us which booking software you use.