Freight Broker/ Agent Training

Freight brokers find carriers for shippers to haul their freight. They also assume financial responsibility in the shipping process by invoicing shippers, paying carriers and agents, extending credit and more.

About This Program

In this certificate program course, you will learn the skills you need to be a successful freight broker or a freight agent in this fast-growing industry. This online freight broker training course provides you with detailed information about the freight broker sector of the transportation industry and about the brokerage process from start to finish.

 

Learn How to Start Your Freight Brokerage

From licensing and operations to sales and marketing, learn how to get your broker license and start a successful freight brokerage – 100% online and at your own pace!  


This course used real-life examples and different learning materials that still help us operate a business,” Kay P., United Tribe Logistics 


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Freight Broker jobs can vary based on the state, city, and county you choose to work in.
Freight Broker jobs can vary based on the state, city, and county you choose to work in.
What is a Freight Broker?

A freight broker acts as the middleman between a shipper — the maker or owner of the product — and the carriers or the trucking company that moves the freight to its next or final destination. In addition to loading motor carrier trucks and vehicles, freight brokers assist the truck driver along the route to ensure timely delivery of the order.

 

 

After you gain industry knowledge through in-depth training, you will need to obtain a freight broker license.
After you gain industry knowledge through in-depth training, you will need to obtain a freight broker license.

Freight Broker Career

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists freight broker/agent as “Bright Outlook” career area, with over 30% job growth expected in the next five years. 

According to the US Bureau of Transportation (USDOT), over 11 billion tons of freight move by truck each year. This number will continue to grow, so skilled brokers are needed to keep the industry moving.

 

In addition to education and region, factors such as specialty, industry, and employer also influence a Freight Brokers' salary.
In addition to education and region, factors such as specialty, industry, and employer also influence a Freight Brokers' salary.

Freight Broker Salary Expectations

In 2021, the average Freight Broker made:

  • an average hourly wage of $23.28
  • an average yearly salary of $48,000

Top 4 states with the highest employment level in Cargo and Freight Agents are:

  1. California
  2. Florida
  3. Texas and,
  4. Illinois

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.
This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.
Freight Broker Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Qs)

Q: What is the difference between a freight broker and an agent?
A:
A freight agent acts as an independent salesperson for a freight brokerage or independent broker. Freight agents may work on commission bringing in new customers. 

Q: What kind of hours do freight brokers work?  
A: Freight brokers can set their own hours — deciding when and how much they work. Many work from home, so they create their own work/life balance around shipping and carrier schedules.

Q: What is the federal motor carrier safety administration (FMCSA)?  
A: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates and provides safety oversite for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). 

 

Course Details

 

  • Learn the ins and outs of the industry from experienced freight brokers.

  •  Gain the knowledge and resources you need to register with the FMCSA, get a surety bond and break into the shipping industry. 

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, this course focuses solely on U.S. domestic freight brokering, so it’s only recommended if you plan to do business in the United States. 

This course is 100% online. Start anytime with 6 months to complete.  

 

  1. THE BASICS OF FREIGHT BROKERING
    Job duties, qualities and skills of an effective freight broker and a freight broker agent 
  2. SETTING UP YOUR BUSINESS AND OFFICE
    Steps needed to launch a brokerage and set up an office 
  3. SETTING GOALS AND DEVELOPING YOUR CORPORATE IDENTITY
    Evaluate business goals and mission statements  
  4. SETTING UP YOUR SHIPPER PACKET AND YOUR CARRIER PACKET
    Documents to send to shippers and carriers 
  5. OPERATIONS AND USING OPERATIONS SOFTWARE
    Forms, logs, and broker software that work best for business; how to avoid or manage day-to-day problems that freight brokers face 
  6. TYPES OF FREIGHT AND EXPLORING NICHE MARKETS
    Differentiate between the types of freight and the types of niche markets available 
  7. TRANSPORTATION LAW
    Transportation law most affect business as a broker or agent, and why they are important to operations 
  8. BROKER-CARRIER CONTRACTS
    How contracts protect brokers and carriers 
  9. BROKER-SHIPPER AGREEMENTS
    Components of an effective broker-shipper agreement 
  10. INSURANCE FOR CARRIERS AND BROKERS
    Insurance policies and forms essential for carriers and brokers 
  11. RECORDKEEPING, ACCOUNTING, AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
    Different processes and records encountered as a broker freight 
  12. DETERMINING YOUR RATE QUOTES
    Rate quotes that are based on relevant information 
  13. CARRIER RELATIONS AND SOLUTIONS FOR SUCCESS
    Situations from a carrier's point of view 
  14. SALES AND PROFITABILITY
    Sales techniques and results as part of sales success
  15. ADVANCED MARKETING
    Marketing efforts that will be beneficial for business  
  16. DEVELOP YOUR NEGOTIATION SKILLS
    Negotiation skills from first real sales calls

 

Jan Roach 

Jan Roach has been a partner in a freight brokerage operation since 1995. For over 10 years, she ran a freight brokerage, overseeing sales, marketing, accounting and day-to-day operations. Roach holds a Bachelor of Science from Baylor University and has provided training for the freight industry since 2001. 

 Jeff Roach 

Jeff Roach has been in the transportation industry since 1986. He founded his own freight brokerage in 1995, after working as the vice president of national accounts for a major truckload carrier. He grew his brokerage into a multimillion-dollar business and began developing freight broker courses in 2001. Roach holds a Bachelor of Science from Abilene Christian University. 

 

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Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
668 Robert and Trudie Perkins Way
Tallahassee, FL 32310

P: (850) 599-3796, E: famuce@famu.edu


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