Enjoy the benefits of an starting your own brokerage company in the lucrative transportation industry.
Education & Training
To get started, you’ll need to undergo comprehensive training and develop the necessary communication and sales techniques to thrive in this occupation.
Program Benefits
This is the place where you learn all there is to know about the industry AND starting your own company. If you have no experience, then this will be perfect for you.
When you finish the course, you can attend a monthly online event where established discuss opportunities in their respective agencies.
What Do You Learn?
The following topics will be addressed:
- Brokering basics
- Transportation Law
- Freight types
- Shipper and carrier relations
- Documents for shipper and carrier packets
- Communication and negotiation techniques
- Brokering shipper & carrier agreements
- Software needed for operations
- Insurance requirements
- Determining rate quotes
- Recordkeeping
Additional Courses
- Exploring niche markets
- Marketing and advertising strategies
- Financial management and accounting
- Effective sales techniques
- Developing your corporate identity
- Completing business registration and office setup
How Long is the Class?
It can be completed between 3 to 6 months (100 course hours). Just depends on fast you progress through the modules.
How Much Does it Cost?
The price is $1,900. Below are some monthly financing options if you want them.
Illinois Freight Broker Requirements
A high school diploma, GED, or equivalent is the minimum education requirement for aspiring freight brokers in IL.
However, those intending to start their freight broker businesses must comply with federal guidelines.
Federal Freight Broker Regulations
Like brokers in other states, aspiring freight brokers in IL must obtain an official broker license from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). To get this license, you’ll need to take the following steps:
- Apply for a USDOT number through the federal Department of Transportation’s Unified Registration System
- Pay the required $300 application fee
- Purchase a Surety Bond or Trust Fund Agreement worth at least $75,000
IL Freight Broker State Licenses
It usually takes about four to six weeks to receive your brokerage license from the FMCSA.
Once you get it, you’ll need to apply for a broker’s license from the Illinois Commerce Commission. Obtaining state licensure involves submitting another application form and purchasing an additional surety bond or trust fund agreement worth $10,000.
After receiving your broker’s license, you can register your freight broker business with the state of Illinois and start accepting clients.
Additional Certification
If you’re hoping to work with larger shipping and carrier corporations, consider obtaining an official Certified Transportation Broker (CTB) credential from the Transportation Intermediaries Association. The organization recommends that test takers have:
- Six months to one year of logistics management, property brokerage, or other third-party experience
- At least a bachelor’s degree in logistics or a related field
Passing the three-hour competency exam to receive this widely-recognized certification is an excellent way to prove your qualifications and expertise to potential clients.
Salary Range
The average salary in the state is $62,699 according to Indeed.com and $59,136 per ZipRecruiter.
Over time, experienced freight brokers in IL may earn salaries closer to $60,000 per year. Those who run their own freight broker businesses might be able to make even more than that, depending on their rates.
Job Description
What Do They Do?
Freight brokers in IL serve as go-betweens for shipping and carrier companies, helping to ensure product shipments arrive at their destinations safely and on time. Duties for these professionals include:
- Coordinating deliveries by finding qualified carriers to transport the shipper’s products
- Negotiating pay rates for shipping and delivery services
- Establishing quick, realistic pickup and drop-off times for product loads
- Selecting the best transportation routes to ensure a timely delivery
- Tracking carrier vehicles during transport
- Avoiding delays by re-routing transport vehicles as needed
- Maintaining contact with vehicle operators to ensure loads arrive on time and damage-free
- Keeping detailed, organized records of each shipment to confirm payment and avoid breaches of contract
Career Outlook
Reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate a projected nine-percent increase in the demand for freight brokers over the next decade. Aspiring freight brokers in IL can take advantage of this expected growth rate by completing an accredited trade school or community college course to improve their chances of finding a well-paying freight broker job in Illinois.