Regulated and Highly-Regulated Top-Level Domains

Last updated October 26, 2026

Table of Contents

• Why are some TLDs regulated?
• What do regulated TLDs require?
• Regulated TLD list
• What do highly-regulated TLDs require?
• Highly-regulated TLD list
• What happens if a registrant does not meet the requirements?
• Have more questions?

Regulated and highly-regulated top-level domains (TLDs) are TLDs for sectors such as finance, health, law, and gambling, where ICANN requires extra commitments from the registrant. When you register one at DNSimple, sections 4a and 4b of the Domain Registration Agreement apply. This page lists the TLDs DNSimple sells that those sections cover.

Why are some TLDs regulated?

Some TLD names suggest a regulated profession or industry, and a domain under one of them can look like a sign of a license or credential. To protect consumers, ICANN adopted the GAC Category 1 safeguards in February 2014 (NGPC resolution 2014.02.05.NG01). They are written into the registry agreement for each of these TLDs. The registry passes them to registrars, and registrars like DNSimple pass them to registrants in the registration agreement.

The safeguards are commitments you make, not a check DNSimple runs. Regulated TLDs are open to anyone who accepts them. For most highly-regulated TLDs, you state that you hold the credentials for the sector, and the registry does not ask for proof at registration. A few registries add their own eligibility checks. For example, .BANK and .INSURANCE have eligibility requirements that the registry verifies.

What do regulated TLDs require?

When you register a domain in a regulated TLD, you agree to:

• Comply with all applicable laws, including those that relate to privacy, data collection, consumer protection (including in relation to misleading and deceptive conduct), fair lending, debt collection, organic farming, disclosure of data, and financial disclosures.
• Implement reasonable and appropriate security measures, as defined by applicable law, if you collect and maintain sensitive health and financial data.

It is your responsibility to check whether the TLD you are registering is on the list below.

Regulated TLD list

Grouped by the sectors in ICANN’s list.

What do highly-regulated TLDs require?

Highly-regulated TLDs have the same requirements as regulated TLDs. You also agree to:

• Provide administrative contact information, kept up to date, for complaints or reports of registration abuse, and the contact details of the relevant regulatory or industry self-regulatory bodies in your main place of business.
• Hold any authorizations, charters, licenses, or other credentials needed to take part in the sector the TLD is associated with.
• Report any material change to the validity of those credentials, so that you continue to meet the regulations and licensing requirements of the sector.

Highly-regulated TLD list

For .doctor, registrants who claim to be licensed medical practitioners must be able to show the registrar and registry operator, on request, that they hold the applicable license.

ICANN adds one requirement for each of the last two groups:

• .fail, .gripe, .sucks, and .wtf: the registry publishes registration policies to reduce the risk of cyberbullying and harassment.
• .airforce, .army, and .navy: registrants take reasonable steps to avoid falsely implying that they or their business are affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by a country’s or government’s military forces.

What happens if a registrant does not meet the requirements?

A domain can be canceled. Under section 4 of the Domain Registration Agreement, DNSimple and the registry can each end a registration if the information you provide is false, inaccurate, or out of date, without a refund.

For highly-regulated TLDs, a registry that receives a complaint doubting a registrant’s license or credentials is expected to consult the relevant national supervisory authority.

Have more questions?

If you have any questions about regulated or highly-regulated TLDs, contact support, and we will be happy to help. You can also read more about TLDs available at DNSimple.