Freight Broker/Agent Training Schools in Illinois

Freight brokers act as middlemen between clients looking to ship their goods safely and efficiently and carriers who can provide such services. Along with acting as a liaison between both parties, these professionals also provide value due to their management, organizational, and bookkeeping skills.

The guide below will give Illinois residents everything they need to enter this discipline. We explore the area’s educational arrangements, licensure and certification requirements, insurance options, and top training programs.

Lastly, we also examine the possible annual earnings for freight brokers in Illinois and how candidates can infrared these numbers.

How to Become a Freight Broker in Illinois

The following are the steps to starting a career as a freight broker in Illinois.

Step 1: Education

Freight Brokers in Illinois don’t have to have a high school diploma or GED and don’t need post-secondary education either. However, candidates are still expected to acquire training to carry out their duties at a high level.

They may consult any of the training programs we list below for this.

Since the profession does not have rigid requirements, candidates may also choose their preferred training arrangements. For instance, some prefer to enroll in an online program to free up time for other commitments while learning.

Step 2: Starting a Business

While setting up their freight brokerage business, individuals are expected to choose a business structure, register their business for an Employer Identification Number, and register with the Michigan Treasury for a state sales tax number.

Candidates are also expected to figure out their operating authority and business model.

Step 3: Applying for Operating Authority

Freight brokers in Illinois are expected to apply for an Operating Authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. To do so, they will have to pay a fee of around $300.

They will also have to meet some other legal requirements, such as having a surety bond and having what is known as a process agent for representation.

We discuss these particular steps more in the licensure and certification requirements section.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a truck driver in Illinois

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The first licensure requirement for freight brokers in Illinois is to complete the OP-1 form issued by the FMCSA. Applying online can accelerate this process.

Mail-in applications may take around 4 weeks to finalize. Freight brokers in Illinois must also have a surety bond of $75,000.

Lastly, it is mandatory to choose a process agent, a representative who will be contacted if any proceeding arises against the freight broker’s company.

Certification is optional for freight brokers in Illinois. However, the Transportation Intermediaries Association offers highly rated certification, including the Certified Transportation Brokers credential, for those looking to become certified by a professional agency.

Top Freight Brokerage Schools in Illinois

Aspiring freight brokers in Illinois may attend the following programs for their foundational training.

Explore freight broker training schools in Illinois by city:

• Freight broker training schools in Chicago

Salary & Career Outlook

At the midpoint of earners, Illinois freight brokers earn an annual salary of $61,734, the national average.

For those who still need to be established on the job, it is possible to earn a little lower, taking home an annual average salary of around $27,163. However, those who have established themselves on the job have the potential to earn an annual average salary of $140,301 or even more, which will put them among the top 10%.

Time and experience are key in determining a freight broker’s annual average salary in Illinois. One factor that is also worth considering is location.

In Romeoville, freight brokers earn an annual average salary of $92,160, making them the highest-paid in the state based on location only. They are followed by those in La Grange, with an annual average salary of $91,913, and brokers in Hodgkins, with an annual average salary of $82,808.