If you own or operate a call center and need your NAICS code, here is your answer right away.
The primary NAICS code for a call center is 561422, classified under Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers in the Administrative and Support and Waste Management sector. However, “call center” is a broad term. The right code for your business depends on whether you are actively selling, providing customer support, or simply answering phones. This page covers the relevant codes so you can identify the one that fits.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| NAICS Code | 561422 |
| Industry Title | Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers |
| Sector | 56 (Administrative and Support and Waste Management) |
| Industry Group | 5614 |
| Last Updated | 2022 NAICS Edition (Next NAICS Edition will come in 2027) |
What Does NAICS Code 561422 Cover?
According to the official 2022 NAICS data, code 561422 covers establishments primarily engaged in providing telephone-based services, such as telemarketing, customer service, and call center support, on a contract or fee basis.
In simple terms, this code applies to any business that handles active phone communications on behalf of other companies. For call center businesses, this includes:
- Outbound telemarketing and cold calling for sales or lead generation
- Inbound customer service and technical support help desks
- Appointment setting and reservation services
- BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) call center operations
- Third-party call center management and staffing
The important distinction here is active engagement. This code covers the act of actively conversing with customers or prospects to provide support, resolve issues, or make sales, rather than just passively taking messages.
Does My Call Center Business Qualify for Code 561422?
Your business qualifies for NAICS code 561422 if:
- You operate a contact center handling inbound support calls or outbound sales calls
- Your main source of revenue comes from providing live agent phone services under contract for other businesses
- You run a BPO firm that manages customer relationship calls for clients
Your business may not qualify if:
- You only provide basic telephone answering services and message taking, which falls under 561421 (Telephone Answering Services) instead
- You conduct market research, public opinion polling, or survey-based calling, which falls under 541910 (Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling) instead
- You provide the software infrastructure for call centers (like VoIP or cloud phone systems) but don’t staff the agents, which falls under 511210 (Software Publishers) or 518210 (Data Processing) instead
When your business sits between two codes, always classify based on whichever activity generates the most revenue.
Where Will You Need This Code?
Your NAICS code appears in more places than most business owners expect. Here is where code 561422 will be required:
- Federal Contracting via SAM.gov. Government agencies frequently outsource help desks, hotline support, and appointment scheduling to private call centers. To bid on these contracts, you must be registered on SAM.gov under this exact code.
- Business Insurance. This is highly critical for call centers. Insurance providers use this code to calculate your Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) and Cyber Liability premiums. Because your agents handle sensitive customer data and payment information over the phone, your risk profile is significant.
- SBA Loan Applications. If you need financing to set up server infrastructure, purchase software licenses, or expand your agent workstations, the Small Business Administration requires your NAICS code to assess your loan eligibility.
- Business Registration. Most state and local business registration portals ask for your NAICS code when you set up a new LLC, corporation, or DBA.
- Tax Filings and Compliance. Federal and state tax agencies use NAICS codes to categorize businesses for statistical reporting and compliance monitoring purposes.
- Business Bank Accounts. Many banks ask for your NAICS code when opening a business account to ensure your business is classified properly from day one.
561422 in the NAICS Hierarchy
Every NAICS code sits inside a structured hierarchy. Here is exactly where 561422 fits:
| Level | Code | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management Services |
| Subsector | 561 | Administrative and Support Services |
| Industry Group | 5614 | Business Support Services |
| NAICS Industry | 56142 | Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers |
| National Industry | 561422 | Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NAICS code for a telephone answering service?
If your business strictly takes messages, forwards calls, or provides basic after-hours receptionist services without actively selling or providing deep technical support, your code is 561421 (Telephone Answering Services). You only use 561422 if your agents are actively engaging in customer support, telemarketing, or complex problem-solving.
Does this code cover a remote or work-from-home call center?
Yes. The NAICS system classifies your business based on the service you provide, not where your agents are located. Whether your agents work in a massive physical office building or remotely from their own homes, you still use 561422 as long as you are providing contact center services.
What if my call center only does market research surveys?
If your callers are strictly conducting surveys, gathering public opinions, or doing market research rather than providing customer support or telemarketing products, you do not use a call center code. You must use 541910 (Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling).
Are BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) companies classified under 561422?
It depends on the specific processes you are outsourcing. If the BPO work involves handling phone calls, customer support, or telemarketing, you use 561422. If the BPO work involves non-phone tasks like data entry, payroll processing, or human resources management, you would use other codes under the Administrative and Support Services sector, such as 561410 (Document Preparation Services) or 561110 (Office Administrative Services).
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