How to Become a Freight Broker in North Dakota

Working as a freight broker will require patience, interpersonal skills and confidence. You’ll need to present yourself to shipping companies as someone who can add value to their business. In communication with carriers, you’ll want to appear as someone who is experienced, knowledgeable and self-assured. Your job will be to make the necessary connections between these two parties, choosing carriers who are timely, responsible and capable of getting the job done. Freight agents may assist you in this process, helping you source carriers and connecting you with shipping companies in need of your services.

Requirements for Becoming a Freight Broker in North Dakota

Although no statewide regulations exist when it comes to freight brokerage, national law holds all freight brokers to strict standards. These standards include earning a high school diploma or GED, as well as obtaining a government-issued license to practice. This license may be referred to as either a Motor Carrier Operating Authority license or a Broker Authority license.

National law does not set any standards that would require freight brokers to earn an education beyond the high school level. Even so, there are many freight broker training programs that exist and can be taken both online or in-person. Other options to further develop your skillset would include completing an apprenticeship or internship program, finding an experienced professional to become your mentor or earning certification.

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North Dakota Schools for Freight Brokers

Those who enjoy learning in a structured setting may appreciate the freight brokerage training programs listed below:

  • Load Training offers nline courses, as well as five-day in-person trainings which take place in Phoenix, Houston or Atlanta. Topics of study include how to respond to inquiries from carriers and shippers, how to create a truck availability database and much more.
  • Brooke Training also ffers both in-person and online courses. The program covers basic and advanced brokerage techniques, allows qualifying veterans to attend courses for free and offers each student assistance with job placement upon course completion.
  • Freight Movers School offers in-person trainings in Texas and Georgia. Online courses are also available. There is a course offered on brokerage basics as well as a course on improving sales.

Certifications for Becoming a Freight Broker in North Dakota

All national regulations for freight brokers are enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). According to this administration, before you can obtain your license to practice you must first register your company as a business. Next, you’ll need to obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation number. After doing so, you will send this number, an application and application fee of $300 to the FMCSA. When your application has been approved, which typically takes four to six weeks, you will receive your license. All freight brokers are required to carry a $75,000 surety bond at all times.

Earning credentials can help you distinguish yourself from the competition. If you wish to do so, you can sit for the Certified Transportation Brokers exam, which is offered exclusively through the Transportation Intermediaries Association.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released data in 2017, which stated that freight brokers in North Dakota earned an hourly average income of $18.85, or $39,200 annually. The highest paid freight brokers in this state earned more than $50,000 during the same year.

The BLS also states that there were about 110 freight brokers working in North Dakota during 2016. By 2026, this number will jump to 130, signifying an 18.3 percent expansion in the job market during this 10-year period.

Working as a Freight Broker in North Dakota

In North Dakota, the largest cities are Fargo and Bismarck. These will be ideal places for freight brokers to work in this state, as their large populations put them at the top of the list for freight distribution in North Dakota.

Learning is an essential component of growth. If you want to build a fruitful career that has longevity, it may be in your best interest to work at a brokerage company under experienced professionals who can show you a thing or two about this industry. After building the skillset to become a confident professional, it may be a natural next step to begin your own brokerage company and work as an entrepreneur. You may have to persevere through tough times, but this is true for most business owners. If you’re up for the challenge, you should consider getting started today.