Freight brokers act as a go-between for carriers and shipping companies. Brokers will typically employ freight agents to work for them as independent contractors, and these agents will work to compile a database of carriers, making the broker’s job a bit easier.
Certifications for Becoming a Freight Broker in Ohio
The regulations for freight brokerage are set in place and enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This organization requires that all aspiring freight brokers first register their company name as a business. The next step requires you to obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation number, and the following step is to submit this number, along with an application and application fee of $300, to the FMCSA.
Application approval time usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks. Once you have received your Broker Authority license (also known as a Motor Carrier Operating Authority license), you will need to carry a $75,000 surety bond at all times.
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