How to Become a Freight Broker in Louisiana
Freight brokers work with shippers to find carriers to haul freight. They broker deals with the companies responsible for shipping freight and communicate with carriers so they know where the shippers are with the goods. Simply put, they are accountable for finding reliable carriers to transport loads and communicate with both the carriers and shippers to ensure the load is picked up and delivered as it should be. Brokers might operate their own business or work for a brokering company.
Louisiana is the 25th most populous out of the fifty states and is a great place to live and work. Also, more than 120 million tons of freight are moved through the state annually, so it’s an ideal place to consider a career as in this field. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about becoming a freight broker in Louisiana.
Louisiana Requirements
There are no statewide requirements for becoming a freight broker in Louisiana; however, there are national guidelines you should follow. The only educational requirement is to have a high school diploma or equivalent. You do need to apply for an MC Authority (Broker Authority) license that can be obtained through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Authority (FMCSA).
To apply for a license, you must register your business name with the Department of Transport (DOT), and you will receive a USDOT number. Then you will need to apply to the FMCSA for an MC Authority license. This step costs $300. You will also need to show proof of insurance for your business by obtaining a $75,000 surety bond. Additionally, you will need general liability and cargo insurance and to designate freight agents in the states in which you will be brokering. Once you have completed all the steps and they are approved, you should get your license in four to six weeks.
Louisiana Freight Broker Training Programs
There are several ways you can complete training. At Freight Movers School, LLC, you can take online classes. The program consists of seven lessons and a final exam, all of which can be taken online. Load Training also offers home study and in-person courses at several locations for both brokers and agents.
The most popular training programs are those offered by the partnership of Brooke Transportation Training Solutions and ed2go. These programs are offered at many community colleges, technical colleges and universities throughout the United States. These courses are written by brokerage specialists and cover transportation law, insurance, contracts, and how to set up and run your own brokering business. These programs consist of 180 course hours that can be completed in six months.
In Louisiana, the following schools offer Brooke Transportation/ed2go courses: Baton Rouge Community College, Delgado Community College, Fletcher Technical Community College, LSU at Alexandria, LSU at Eunice, McNeese State University, Northshore Technical Community College and SOWELA Technical Community College.
Just insert your zip code to find freight broker/agent training near you.
Certification is not mandatory, but it could help you with job prospects in the future as well as demonstrate your competence. The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) offers the Certified Transportation Broker (CTB) exam, which is the most recognized certification in the industry.
Projected Income for Louisiana Freight Brokers
According to data supplied by indeed.com, freight brokers in Louisiana make an annual average of $63,462. Additionally, they make an average of $28,400 yearly in commissions. If you decide to start your own brokerage business, you can expect to earn more. Many brokers pull in six-figure salaries.
Best Business Opportunities for Louisiana Freight Brokers
As in most career fields, you will likely have the best luck working in some of the larger metropolitan areas of the state. In Louisiana, these include Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans. New Orleans is the most populous city in the state as well as the commercial and economic hub of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Baton Rouge is the second-largest metro area and a major industrial center in the state. With the number of goods that are moved through the state annually, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding a brokering company to work for or setting up your own business in Louisiana.
Some Louisiana Brokerages:
The Irwin Brown Company (CH Powell)
3500 N. Causeway Blvd. Suite 410 Metairie, LA 70002
MC-157165 USDOT 2211932
The Kearney Companies, Inc.
4000 France Road Parkway, New Orleans, LA 70126-6153
MC-612994 USDOT 1667592
W. R. Zanes & Co. of LA., Inc (Now part of Janel Group)
20 Crofton Road, Kenner, LA 70062
MC-130722 USDOT 2211736
Scott Logistics Corp (an FLS Transportation Company)
300 Mecca St, Lafayette, LA 70508
MC-566496 USDOT 2236734
BMI, Inc
2119 Aberdeen St., Kenner, LA 70062
MC-832247 USDOT 2423366
J.W. Allen
1000 Riverbend Drive, Suite L St. Rose, LA 70087
MC-711377 USDOT 2246634
B & R Transport Brokers
4099 Toucan Dr, Sorrento, LA 70778
MC-922831 USDOT 2788531
Livingston International
365 Canal Street Suite 1600, New Orleans, LA, 70130
MC-153654 USDOT 610435
A.L.S. Freight Management LLC
11 James Blvd. Ste. 220, Saint Rose, LA 70087
MC-597297 USDOT 2238762
Acme Supply Chain Solutions
200 Westbank Expy, Gretna, LA 70053
MC-198296 USDOT 2213742
You can also find freight broker training in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi.