Where to find Freight Broker Training in Alaska
As an integral part of the logistics and transportation industry in Alaska, freight brokers and agents connect shippers with trucking companies to deliver goods to and from the Last Frontier. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there were about 380 people employed as Cargo and Freight Agents in Alaska in May of 2018, the majority in the Anchorage area. This number will exclude those who are self-employed, many of whom work from home, and those who work as freight broker agent, who perform full service logistics services. This page will help you find the best freight broker training near you and get started in a great career.
More than 22,000 people work in Alaska’s transportation industry and, as such, is one of the state’s largest employers and a critical element in Alaska’s economy. Because of Alaska’s geographic position, air is the biggest transporter. Trucking is smaller as a part of the transport industry in Alaska compared with other parts of the nation. Although the Alaska Highway crosses Canada to connect Alaska to the other mainland states, it is not part of the interstate highway system. Nonetheless, there are nearly 3,000 people employed in trucking and warehouse jobs.
How long does it take to become a freight broker in Alaska?
Other than holding a high school diploma, there are no further federal or State of Alaska education or training requirements to becoming a freight broker agent. We recommend getting the skills you need at freight broker school, either locally or taking online classes. The best freight broker training courses last around six months and will give you a grounding in transportation law, contracts, the brokering process, how to run a successful brokerage, accounting, marketing and sales.
The license application process takes four to six weeks.
How do you get a freight broker’s license in Alaska?
Freight brokers in Alaska and elsewhere in the United States are required to hold a Motor Carrier Operating Authority, which is a license issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which part of the U.S. Department of Transport. To apply, you need to obtain a USDOT number, pay an application fee and complete and submit Form OP-1. Within four to six weeks the FMCSA will mail you your MC number. To activate the license, you will need to buy a $75,000 surety bond, demonstrate you have the required insurance. You will also be required to designate freight agents in the states you wish to operate. Once this process is complete you have become a freight broker.
How much does it cost to get a freight broker license?
The cost of a freight broker license is $300. Additionally, you will have to pay a bond premium annually for the $75,000 surety – how much you must pay for this will depend on your credit rating – and insurance premiums.
Freight agents do not require a license. Agents typically work for freight brokers, handling the administrative aspects of shipments. Commissions are shared between the broker and the agent for each shipment, with the agent receiving the larger share.
What is the best freight broker school in Alaska?
Freight broker agent training will provide you with a wealth of knowledge on the industry from how to find shippers, to how to connect with carriers using an online load board, to how to set up your own freight brokerage.
There is are no campus-based schools currently offering broker or agent training in Alaska. One solution to this is that there are some excellent online courses.
On this page you can search and find first-class freight broker training courses delivered at community colleges near you. These courses are primarily delivered online, allowing you to study at home at your own pace. These programs typically take six months and are instructor-led.
Brooke Training Solutions offers training nationwide and has a long-established reputation. There is 100% financial aid for qualifying veterans. Unfortunately, none of their training centers are in the state of Alaska. However, in partnership with ed2go they offer a comprehensive online program through local community colleges.
Another online option is Freight Movers School, which has over 40 years of experience providing training. For this interested in becoming a freight agent, the school offers guaranteed placemen at an established freight brokerage.
How much do freight brokers make in Alaska?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics those people employed as Cargo and Freight Agents earned an average of $39,620 in May 2018, with entry-level jobs paying $28,640 and top salaries, for those with more training and experience, being around $54,780. These salaries do not take account of commissions earned, which may be significant.
Salaries will tend to by higher around larger urban areas such as Anchorage and Juneau, as there is more freight to manage. It will also tend to be higher for those providing freight broking services to the oil and gas industry, which is very important to Alaska’s economy.
There may be interesting job opportunities in the location of port facilities, handling load transactions for this sector.
Those starting their own freight brokerage service can earn significantly more than the salaries posted above.
Companies that offer freight broker training in Alaska
Four Valleys Community College offers freight broker training in Anchorage. The course and all learning materials are delivered online.
You can also find freight broker training in Washington State.