Virginia is an excellent state in which for a freight broker. Candidates can receive extensive training and work with some of the best companies in the country.
Individuals who would like to enter this discipline with the best possible foundation are expected to go through a series of steps that facilitate career growth. The guide on this page breaks down all of these requirements, starting with basic considerations and ending with educational options and certification organizations.
We also dedicate a section to analyze relevant figures concerning how much freight brokers earn in Virginia and what factors influence these numbers.
How to Become a Freight Broker in Virginia
The following are the requirements to become a freight broker in Virginia.
Completing a Training Program
Completing a training program is a crucial part of becoming a freight broker anywhere. Freight brokering programs are usually arranged either as formal academic programs or “on-the-job” training programs.
Community colleges, universities, and other institutions offer formal academic programs. They emphasize a set curriculum and usually allow candidates to earn an award or degree along the way.
We list a few top programs to consider in an upcoming section.
Business Requirements
Individuals should work with an existing brokerage business before starting their entity. This way, they will be able to work with established professionals and learn the discipline’s major conventions.
Once they are ready to branch out on their own, they may go on to fulfill the business requirements.
The major business requirements to become a freight broker include registering a business entity and acquiring a freight broker bond.
FMCSA Registration
Candidates are also expected to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration by sending an official application. To apply, individuals need a number from the Department of Transportation and a freight broker application form that costs around $300.
Insurance
Lastly, prospective freight brokers in Virginia are also expected to have a BOC-3 blanket insurance coverage for their business. Candidates can work with professionals known as process agents to handle this part of the journey on their behalf.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
Freight brokers in Virginia are not expected to register with the state before they can start working professionally at an existing freight brokerage business. However, as mentioned earlier, they are expected to have a United States Department of Transportation number and use this to receive a license from the operating authority.
As for certification, this can be a very effective way to become an authority in the field and stand out to potential employers and customers. The Certified Supply Chain Professional credential offered by the Association for Supply Chain Management is a highly-rated certification option for candidates to consider.
Of course, individuals must have received extensive training from a training program to prepare for the certification examination. They may also be expected to renew their license periodically through continuing education.
Top Freight Broker Schools in Virginia
The following are some high-quality training programs for aspiring freight brokers in Virginia.
Virginia Wesleyan University
Online, VA Online Only
Virginia Wesleyan University offers a flexible freight broker and freight agent training program designed to be completed in approximately six months.
Tuition
$1,895 per ProgramContact
(855) 520-6806
Southside Virginia Community College
Online, VA Online Only
Southside Virginia Community College provides an extensive freight broker training program that also includes supply chain management education.
Tuition
$3,795 - $4,190 per ProgramContact
(855) 520-6806
George Mason University
Online, VA Online Only
George Mason University’s freight broker training program, offered through its Continuing and Professional Education division, covers shipment brokering, business setup, software tools, contracts, and legal requirements.
Tuition
$1,995 per ProgramContact
(703) 993-2109
cpeinfo@gmu.edu
Explore freight broker training schools in Virginia by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
The annual average salary of a freight broker in Virginia is usually around $51,714 for those in the median range. This is the most common category, and the figure is also very much in line with the national average.
The annual average salary of freight brokers in Virginia who are among the top-paid in the state can be as much as $93,191. For those who are still among the bottom earners, it is possible to take home an annual average salary of around $28,698. Now, the factors that influence the annual average salary of professionals in this field in Virginia can range from experience and location to credentials, business strategy, and network.
As for prominent locations, Arlington is where freight brokers in Virginia make the highest average annual salary. At the end of the year, they managed around $74,906.
Also notable are Charlottesville, Waynesboro, and Harrisonburg, where freight brokers make annual average salaries of $70,554, $70,324, and $62,089, respectively.