Freight Broker/Agent Training

Start your career as a freight broker or agent with our online freight agent and freight broker training! The course provides you with the comprehensive skills needed to build a successful freight brokerage or begin working for a broker. Learn the foundational aspects of brokering shipments—from laws and terminology to valuable tools and software. You will also learn how to set up your freight brokerage business and manage contracts and forms, as well as how to find shippers and do ratings.

This combined freight broker and freight agent training will help you gain the knowledge, insight, and direction to stand out in this growing industry. You will learn the differences between a freight broker and an agent, their various duties and responsibilities, and the laws and legal requirements for both.

In the freight agent training portion of the course, learn where and how to find your shippers and loads, how to locate authorized and dependable motor carriers, how to determine market rates based on supply and demand, and how to handle your day-to-day operations. In the freight broker training portion of the course, learn how to choose a company name, check your state for requirements, register your freight brokerage, decide on your insurance needs, and secure operating capital.

You will also develop important qualities and skills needed as a freight broker or agent, such as how to set your goals and market yourself, set up and organize your office, recordkeeping and back-office procedures, how to choose a freight brokerage, and best practices for operating software.

After completing this freight agent and freight broker training, you will understand 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 needed as a freight broker or agent.

Job Opportunity and Resources

Brooke Transportation Training Solutions hosts a Freight 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

• Watch our training video Freight Broker/Agent training to discover an overview of what you'll learn in this course
• The basics of freight brokering, and qualifications needed for freight brokers and freight 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

• Obtain insight into the industry to determine which avenue fits you best and will give you guidance to obtain the highest ratios for success
• Understand why great software, quality contracts, and correct documentation are the backbone of your business
• Review 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

1. The Basics of Freight Brokering
2. Setting Up Your Business
3. Setting Goals for Your Business
4. Setting Up Your Shipper Packet and Your Carrier Packet
5. Operations and Using Operations Software
6. Types of Freight and Exploring Niche Markets
7. Transportation Law
8. Broker-Carrier Contracts
9. Broker-Shipper Contracts
10. Insurance for Carriers and Brokers
11. Recordkeeping, Accounting, and Financial Management
12. Determining Your Rate Quotes
13. Carrier Relations and Solutions for Success
14. Sales and Profitability
15. Advanced Marketing
16. Develop Your Negotiation Skills

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 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.

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.

How much do freight brokers make?

According to Indeed.com, the average freight broker salary is $66,144 per year with top earners making over $158,000 per year.

How much do freight agents make?

According to Indeed.com, freight agents earn $75,775 per year. This salary can vary depending on whether one starts their own brokerage or joins an existing brokerage.

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 freight agent and freight broker training course will go into detail about the differences between a career as a freight agent or a freight broker to help you decide what direction is best for you.

What is a freight broker?

Freight brokers arrange and make provisions for the transportation of shipments, but they do not 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. They are essential to freight agents as they are needed to operate a brokerage.

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. While this course does not include a certification (outside of a certification of completion), one is not required to start a career in this field.

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 by phone. You can also call us at 1-855-532-7642 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.

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.

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.

Honestly, my experience was straight down the line perfect. I enjoyed every second of it.- A.M.

The course was extremely detailed; very organized and flowed smoothly which allowed it to be easy to understand and comprehend.- E.C.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I actually enjoyed the quizzes. They were fair and they let me know how much information I retained.- T.C.