How to Get a Freight Broker License in Georgia

Freight brokers are an integral link in the national and international supply chain. By connecting shippers with truckers, they help to move cargo across the country and ensure truckers carry as much freight as possible. This helps to make the shipping industry more efficient and more profitable.

A freight broker will take a fee for each shipment they arrange. So, the more freight they move, the more they can earn. This earning potential, combined with the opportunity to be your own boss and work from home, makes a career as a freight broker a popular choice for entrepreneurs across the US.

To help you take the next step on the career ladder, we’ve put together a guide on how to get a freight broker license in Georgia.

What Freight Broker Licenses Are Issued in Georgia?

The State of Georgia doesn’t actually issue any licenses for the freight broker industry. However, you will need to get a Motor Carrier Authority license (MCA) in order to operate a freight brokerage business in the US.

MCA licenses are issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This means that you need to meet federal, rather than state, requirements when applying for your license.

Requirements for Getting a Freight Broker License in Georgia

As freight broker licenses are issued at a federal level, the requirements for securing a license are the same in Georgia as they are in the rest of the country.

Most of the requirements you’ll need to meet relate to your business registration, surety bond and process agent arrangements. The most important prerequisites for securing a license are to:

• Show evidence that your business is correctly registered
• Apply for a USDOT number from the Department of Transportation
• Acquire a $75,000 freight broker bond
• Appoint a registered process agent in each state in which you intend to operate
• Pay a $300 application fee

Steps in the Licensing Process

Before you launch your new freight brokerage business, it’s a good idea to get some training. Although freight broker training isn’t a licensing requirement, completing a good quality training program will give you a valuable insight into the freight broker business and the knowhow you need to become a successful freight broker.

Once you’ve completed your freight broker training, you’ll need to choose a company name and register your business. You’ll also need to select a business structure. The structure you choose will have a big impact on the day to day running of your company, so it’s a good idea to talk to an accountant before you decide.

Next, you’ll need to apply for broker authority from the FMCSA. This is effectively your broker license and is what allows you to trade as a licensed freight broker. You’ll need to pay a $300 application fee when applying for your broker authority.

One of the most important steps in securing a freight broker license is getting a $75,000 surety bond.

A freight broker bond is designed to ensure brokers abide by the rules and regulations governing their industry and to protect the public from fraudulent or dishonest business practices. If a client suffers financial loss as the result of a broker breaking the terms of their bond, a claim can be made against the bond and the client reimbursed.

Last but not least, you’ll need to appoint a BOC-3 process agent in every state where you want to operate. A process agent is someone who agrees to accept legal documents on your behalf if legal action is brought against you.

Is a Freight Broker License Required to Work in Georgia?

Georgia doesn’t issue freight broker licenses. Instead, these are issued at a federal level. In order to work as a freight broker in Georgia, or anywhere else in the US, you’ll need to secure a Motor Carrier Authority License from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Freight Broker Training and Certification Programs in Georgia

There are a number of in-person and online freight broker training programs available in Georgia. Most in-person freight broker training courses are located in and around Atlanta, GA.

These courses promise to teach you how to become a freight broker with no experience. Topics covered include transportation law, the role of freight broker agents in the transportation industry and the use of technology, such as load boards, in building your business.

Some courses will also cover marketing, sales, business management and networking. Completing fully comprehensive freight broker or freight agent training should put you one step ahead of the competition when it’s time to start trading.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Freight Broker License in Georgia?

The application fee for a freight broker license is $300. On top of this, you’ll need to budget for your surety bond and the cost of your process agents.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Freight Broker License in Georgia?

If you plan to do a training course before applying for your license, you’ll need to leave between 3 and 45 days to complete the program. Online courses often last longer than in-person options as they allow you to go at your own pace and fit the course around existing commitments.

Getting your surety bond in place should be relatively quick, especially if you have a good credit score and a strong financial history. Submit your surety bond application as soon as possible to ensure this doesn’t hold up the licensing process.

Once you’ve got your paperwork in place, it should take between four and six weeks for your license to be approved.

FAQs

How Much Does a Freight Broker Make in Georgia?

Most prospective brokers want to know exactly how much freight brokers make. However, as the amount you earn is closely tied to how much you work and your connections in the trucking industry, it’s hard to say exactly what you’ll earn in your new career. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for freight broker jobs is $48,420.

How Are Freight Broker Bond Claims Paid?

If a claim is made against a freight broker, the surety will notify the broker and then investigate the claim. If the claim is proven, the surety will make payment to the claimant. They will then recover the funds from the freight broker.