Why You Can't Register for STIR/SHAKEN Yourself (And What to Do Instead)

Here's the uncomfortable truth: there is no "register for STIR/SHAKEN" button for businesses to click. If you've been searching for a way to sign up your company directly, you've been looking for something that doesn't exist.

STIR/SHAKEN is a carrier-only framework. The FCC requires voice service providers — not the businesses placing calls — to implement call authentication in their IP networks, a mandate adopted in 2020 with a June 30, 2021 deadline (FCC rules on call authentication). As standards participants explain, if you run a call center, BPO, or enterprise outbound program, you don't implement STIR/SHAKEN yourself. Your voice service provider authenticates your calls on your behalf.

The actual "registration" mechanism sits one level up: the FCC's Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD). Every U.S. voice service provider must file either a STIR/SHAKEN implementation certification or an alternative robocall mitigation plan there. Providers that fail to file risk having their traffic blocked outright by downstream carriers (per the FCC).

So what should your business actually do? Work through your provider — and ask the right questions:

• Ask your carrier specifically how to secure "A" (Full) Attestation, since only "A" calls earn the "verified caller" label (per the policy administrator)
• Verify your provider files in the RMD and, under the 2025 Eighth Report and Order, signs calls with provider-owned certificates — third-party certificates no longer qualify (per recent FCC rule changes)
• Conduct test calls and report inaccurate blocking or labeling, as TCPA attorney Michele Shuster recommends (practitioner guidance)

Attestation matters more than you might think. Analytics engines treat "A"-rated calls favorably, while "B" and "C" calls are "viewed with suspicion" (legal analysis of the framework). In 2025, Tier-1 carriers signed and verified 85% of inter-carrier traffic — 93% of it at "A" attestation — while smaller carriers signed only 17.5% of traffic between their networks (industry robocall data). Your provider's quality directly shapes your deliverability.

But even perfect attestation isn't a shield. STIR/SHAKEN authenticates identity, not intent — fully authenticated calls can still be labeled "Spam Likely" based on calling behavior, volume, and consumer feedback (per call-monitoring experts). That's why at My AI Call Center, we treat attestation as one half of the equation and list discipline as the other: campaigns only run against approved, permissioned, or reviewed lists, with consent records checked before launch. A carrier can authenticate your identity — only clean calling practices protect your reputation.

How to Secure Full 'A' Attestation from Your Voice Service Provider

Full "A" Attestation is the difference between a call that shows "Verified Caller" and one that analytics engines treat with suspicion. But here's the catch: you can't request it directly. Your voice service provider (VSP) makes that attestation decision on your behalf, so securing it means choosing and verifying the right provider.

Start by asking your carrier two specific questions. First, how do they assign attestation levels — under what conditions do your numbers qualify for Full Attestation? Second, do they sign calls with provider-owned certificates? Under the FCC's Eighth Report and Order, third-party certificates no longer qualify for compliance, and providers that miss this requirement risk being delisted from the Robocall Mitigation Database.

Next, confirm your provider's RMD filing status. Every U.S. voice service provider must file either a STIR/SHAKEN implementation or an alternative robocall mitigation plan in the FCC's Robocall Mitigation Database. Providers that fail to file risk having their domestic traffic blocked by downstream carriers entirely — meaning your calls never reach the phone.

Then verify your own number assignments. Full Attestation requires that the provider knows both the customer and the number placing the call, so make sure every outbound number you use is documented with your provider. A common pitfall: using caller ID from one carrier while placing calls through another, which often results in a "B" rating rather than the "A" you need.

Finally, run test calls before you rely on the setup. TCPA attorney Michele Shuster recommends businesses conduct test calls and report inaccurate labeling or blocking to their carriers. Check what appears on the receiving end across major carriers, and log any "Spam Likely" labels for follow-up.

• Ask your carrier how to secure "A" attestation for your specific numbers and call volumes.
• Confirm the provider signs with certificates it owns directly, per the 2025 rule change.
• Verify the provider's RMD filing is current and complete.
• Document every outbound number with your provider to avoid downgrades to "B" or "C."
• Run test calls across carriers and report any inaccurate spam labels immediately.

Keep one reality check in mind: even "A"-attested calls can still be labeled spam based on calling behavior, volume, and consumer feedback, according to standards participants. That's why disciplined calling practices matter as much as the attestation itself. At My AI Call Center, we check list source and consent records before any campaign launches — because clean attestation plus clean calling behavior is what actually gets calls answered.

Why Attestation Alone Isn't Enough: Pairing STIR/SHAKEN with Permissioned Calling Practices

Even with full "A" attestation, calls can still be flagged as spam if they exhibit poor calling behavior, such as high volume, inconsistent timing, or lack of consumer consent. Carrier analytics systems evaluate more than just identity verification — they assess patterns like call frequency, recipient feedback, and opt-out rates to determine whether a call is welcome or disruptive. As a result, businesses relying solely on STIR/SHAKEN authentication may still face call blocking or labeling, undermining deliverability efforts.

This reality underscores why My AI Call Center pairs technical compliance with disciplined outreach practices. Every campaign begins with a rigorous review of list sources and consent records to ensure only approved, permissioned, or contacted lists are used. Calling windows are respected, scripts are transparent, and opt-outs are honored immediately — all critical factors that carrier analytics use to assess call reputation. Without these practices, even properly attested calls risk being treated as suspicious or unwanted.

To maximize deliverability, businesses should work with their voice service provider to secure "A" attestation while simultaneously validating their calling behavior with carriers and analytics partners. This dual approach — strong identity verification combined with responsible outreach — aligns with FCC guidance and industry best practices. It also reflects the core principle that trust in voice communications depends not just on who is calling, but how and why they are calling.