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.
Become a Freight Broker Online
Gain the comprehensive skills needed to build a successful freight brokerage or freight brokerage agency—100% online. Learn key freight fundamentals for future success, such as the laws and terminology, setting up your business, valuable tools and software, contracts, and forms, how to find shippers and do ratings, and much more.
In this freight broker training you will learn the differences between a freight broker and a freight agent, their various duties and responsibilities, and the laws and legal requirements for both. You will also learn the steps of setting up carrier and shipper packets and contracts, marketing and advertising avenues, rate quotes, how to interact with shippers and carriers to keep lines of communication open, and valuable negotiation skills.
You also have access to Brooke Transportation Training Solutions, which hosts a Broker/Agent Resources Day event. This event includes a virtual option held one Friday a month exclusively for course graduates.
Job Opportunity and Resources
Brooke Transportation Training Solutions hosts a Broker/Agent Resources Day event which includes a virtual option held one Friday a month, exclusively for course graduates. During this virtual option, all Freight Broker/Agent course graduates have the opportunity to join the Resource Day to hear participating brokers give presentations regarding agent opportunities with their company. Graduates are provided with additional valuable resources that can significantly benefit them in their freight brokerage/agency operations. Brooke Transportation is the only training provider currently offering this excellent resource.
What you will learn
- Freight Broker/Agent
- The basics of freight brokering, and qualifications needed for freight brokers and freight broker agents
- How to set up an office, goals, and a corporate identity for a freight brokering business
- How to set up a shipper and carrier packet for a freight brokering business
- Software used for accounting and operations and how the transportation law affects a freight brokering business
- The terms, insurance requirements, liabilities, policies, and recordkeeping best practices involved in contracts between the broker, carrier, and shipper
- Ways to determine rate quotes between your freight brokerage, the shipper, and the carrier using negotiation and sales techniques
How you will benefit
- Insight into the industry to determine which avenue fits you best and will give you guidance to obtain the highest ratios for success
- Why great software, quality contracts, and correct documentation are the backbone of your business
- Understand transportation laws and how they affect your business
- Learn the workings of the industry and how to translate that into your relations with your shippers and carriers
- Fine-tune your ability to find a fair but profitable balance in rate quotes to keep your clients satisfied and coming back
Syllabus
- The Basics of Freight Brokering
- Setting Up Your Business
- Setting Goals for Your Business
- Setting Up Your Shipper Packet and Your Carrier Packet
- Operations and Using Operations Software
- Types of Freight and Exploring Niche Markets
- Transportation Law
- Broker-Carrier Contracts
- Broker-Shipper Contracts
- Insurance for Carriers and Brokers
- Recordkeeping, Accounting, and Financial Management
- Determining Your Rate Quotes
- Carrier Relations and Solutions for Success
- Sales and Profitability
- Advanced Marketing
- Develop Your Negotiation Skills
Requirements
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Software Requirements:
PC: Windows 10 or later.
Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Microsoft Word Online
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, since this course focuses solely on U.S. domestic freight brokering, it is recommended you are interested in doing business in the United States.
Instructor
Jan Roach
Jan Roach entered the transportation field and became a partner in a freight brokerage operation in 1995. For over 10 years, she ran a brokerage/freight agency, overseeing sales, marketing, accounting and claims, 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 and freight brokerage industry since 1986. He founded operating his own freight brokerage in 1995, after working as the vice president of national accounts for a major truckload carrier with an air freight division. He grew his brokerage into a multimillion-dollar business and began developing freight broker courses in 2001. Roach is a graduate of Abilene Christian University, holding a Bachelor of Science.
FAQs
How much do freight brokers make?
According to the data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the average freight broker agent salary is $55,170 per year.
What is the difference between a Freight Broker and an Agent?
The difference between a freight broker and a freight agent is the licensure. A freight broker will be licensed through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and a freight broker is legally liable for the cargo. A freight broker agent is not licensed or liable. The freight agent is more on the sales side of this field and will often sell for the freight broker.
Should I start out as a freight broker agent or as a freight broker?
This online course will go into detail about the differences between a career as a freight broker agent or a freight broker to help you decide what direction is best for you.
What is a freight broker?
A freight broker arranges and makes provision for the transportation of shipments, but they don’t actually provide the transportation. Instead, they help the shipper and the motor carrier company, negotiate on both sides, and earn a fee for their work. Freight brokers use their expertise to set up the shipment, negotiate the terms of the transaction, and manage the shipment from its origin to its destination.
What does a freight broker do?
The freight broker works within the company to manage the day-to-day tasks required to move goods from place to place. They hire carriers and monitor financial aspects such as invoicing, paying agents, and monitoring credit. The government may require additional fees and paperwork for a brokerage license, but not for becoming a freight agent.
What is a freight brokerage company?
Freight brokerage companies act as a liaison between a “shipper,” or a business with goods to move, and a “carrier,” or the business that has the ability to move those goods. They help the shipping industry run efficiently and smoothly.
How long does it take to become a freight broker?
It does not take long to set up your business as freight broker. The longer time is actually building up your business. As with almost any new startup business, it’ll take time to build your client database before your income starts to increase. When you’re just starting out, it can take an average of three to six months or longer to establish relationships and start building your client database.
Does this course prepare you for a certification?
No.
When can I start the course?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
How long does it take to complete this 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.
What kind of support will I receive?
Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it’s through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.
What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.
What if I don’t have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?
The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.
Am I guaranteed a job?
This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
Can I get financial assistance?
This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.
How can I get more information about this course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the “Contact Us” form.
Reviews
I just want to thank you so much for this course and the many different things that I have learned and will be taking with me on my journey to starting my freight broker business. Again, thank you. – T.T., University of North Florida
The course main focus is on the strong points of the subject and makes it so convenient for my schedule. The course was perfect, thank you.- A.G., California State University, Los Angeles
Honestly, my experience was straight down the line perfect. I enjoyed every second of it.- A.M., Ivy Tech Community College, Fort Wayne
The course was extremely detailed; very organized and flowed smoothly which allowed it to be easy to understand and comprehend.- E.C., Columbus Technical College
I enjoyed how smoothly this course went. The facilitator was very educated and easy to understand. The support I received was done so in a timely manner.- E.M., Cuyahoga Community College
I enjoyed having the ability to work on the assignments on my on time and at my own pace. My facilitator was great; and even though I did not have to ask him too many questions he was right there to answer them when I did.- A.M., Ivy Tech Community College, Fort Wayne
I liked the detail in all questions. They were explained very easily, allowing me to learn more than I thought. This training will very helpful in my future. Thank you so much. I am 100% satisfied.- S.K., Central Michigan University
I really appreciated the communication with my facilitators. They always responded to my emails and calls in a timely fashion and were very approachable and knowledgeable.- C.C., UDC Community College
I really liked the accurate and detailed information, along with the quick email replies. I was very happy with the course and facilitators. I had a great experience.- X.A., Lehigh Carbon Community College
I actually enjoyed the quizzes. They were fair and they let me know how much information I retained.- T.C., Valencia Community College