Get Freight Broker Training in Rhode Island

Have you been considering a career as a freight broker and want to learn more about the business? If so, this article has the information you need to get started in this exciting career.

Freight brokers are an integral part of the transportation industry and the economy as a whole, as they are the agents who connect shippers with transportation companies and manage the details of the shipments. This includes such tasks as dealing with contracts and permits, handling paperwork and documentation, ensuring goods are loaded in the proper order, and scheduling. The career also has great potential for anyone looking to start a lucrative at-home business.

Do Freight Brokers Need a License?

Freight broker licenses are handled on the federal level through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), making additional state oversight unnecessary. It will, however, be important for freight brokers in Rhode Island to have knowledge of the state laws regarding transportation, in order to remain in compliance.

Freight brokers in the state will need to apply for a Motor Carrier (MC) number, as well as a USDOT number for interstate transport. Numbers are applied for simultaneously through the FMCSA for a $300 fee. Applicants are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent, have a business name, have a structure of agents and be able to pass a background check. Applications typically take between four to eight weeks to process.

Where do Freight Brokers Train in Rhode Island?

Freight brokers work in a field with many laws and regulations, which will need to be followed at all times, and as such are required to possess an in-depth knowledge of the business. Training can be completed either online or through an appropriate training course, as long as all of the essential information is fully covered. When searching for a training program, it will be important to choose one with a good curriculum that includes training in basic business skills. Other important topics include information on laws and regulatory compliance, insurance, how to obtain the appropriate transportation for specific types of loads and how to manage a shipment.

Ed2go is a program that promises to prepare students to work in the field upon graduation. Written by freight brokerage specialists, the program is available in various locations throughout the United States due to its extensive partnerships with educational institutions. Upon graduation, students will have access to networking events, which match students with job openings and potential mentors. In Rhode Island, the program can be found in the following locations:

Community College of Rhode Island
Fisher College
Dean College

To find one of these programs near you, enter your zip code in the box below.

What do Freight Brokers Earn in Rhode Island?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Rhode Island employed 280 freight brokers in 2018. While state-wide wage data is unavailable, those working in and around the Providence, RI, area reported an average annual wage of $52,520, with the top ten percent bringing in $75,090. It’s important to note that wages collected by the organization do not include commissions, which have the potential to add a significant boost to the reported earnings.

What Should Rhode Island Freight Brokers Expect?

Rhode Island exported $2.4 billion worth of goods in 2018 to other states, and ranked 46th for exports within the U.S. Placed in context with Rhode Island’s population and land area (it is the lowest ranked state in both) these numbers hold reasonable promise for those in the business. When looking to start a business, it will be important to search for areas with a large number of manufacturers. In general, this will mean looking into larger metropolitan areas, where industries tend to congregate. In Rhode Island, areas near Providence and bordering Massachusetts appear to have the most to offer.

You can also find freight broker training in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut.