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Freight Broker — FB
Total cost: $1,561-$11,261
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
No
Additional State License
$300
FMCSA Fee
$75,000 (BMC-84 surety bond or BMC-85 trust fund)
Surety Bond
$176
UCR Annual Fee
Required
Business License
$1,561-$11,261
Total Initial Fees
All freight brokers operating in Texas must obtain a $75,000 surety bond (BMC-84) or establish a trust fund (BMC-85) as required by the FMCSA before receiving operating authority.
Required Bond Amount
$75,000 (BMC-84 surety bond or BMC-85 trust fund)
BMC-84 Surety Bond
Annual Premium
$750-$10,000 per year (typically 1-10% of $75,000 bond amount, varies by credit score)
Trust Fund Alternative
$75,000 trust fund (BMC-85) as alternative to surety bond (BMC-84)
BOC-3 Filing
Required
Designation of process agents (BOC-3) must be filed covering all US states, territories, and the District of Columbia
Register your freight brokerage as an LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship in Texas. Business entity registration with Texas Secretary of State is required for LLCs, corporations, and other formal entities. A Texas sales tax permit from the Comptroller may be required depending on services. A state business license is required.
Register with the FMCSA to obtain a USDOT number through the Unified Registration System (URS). This is required before applying for operating authority.
File Form OP-1 with the FMCSA to obtain your Motor Carrier (MC) number for broker authority. MC number (Motor Carrier number) obtained via FMCSA Form OP-1. Application fee: $300.
Secure a $75,000 (BMC-84 surety bond or BMC-85 trust fund) surety bond from an FMCSA-authorized surety company. Annual premium: $750-$10,000 (varies by credit score). Alternative: $75,000 trust fund (BMC-85) as alternative to surety bond (BMC-84).
Designation of process agents (BOC-3) must be filed covering all US states, territories, and the District of Columbia Filing fee: $30-$50.
Complete annual UCR registration as required for all freight brokers. Annual fee: $176.
Texas has no state income tax. Sales tax registration may be required depending on services offered.
Not required for brokers by FMCSA, but recommended. Protects against cargo loss/damage claims. Recommended minimum $1,000,000 general liability coverage for business protection.
Estimated Total Initial Cost: $1,561-$11,261
Includes FMCSA application ($300), UCR ($176), BOC-3 (~$35), surety bond premium ($750-$10,000), and state business license fees. Bond premium varies significantly by credit score.
FMCSA Application
$300
One-time fee for FMCSA Operating Authority application (Form OP-1)
Surety Bond Premium
$750-$10,000
Annual premium varies by credit score; typically 1-10% of the $75,000 bond amount
BOC-3 Filing
$30-$50
One-time fee paid to a process agent service
UCR Annual Fee
$176
2024-2025 annual UCR fee for brokers with 0-2 vehicles
State Business License
$300-$750
Approximate range for Texas business registration and licensing
All freight brokers must comply with these federal requirements regardless of state
VerifiedOperating Authority (MC Number)
Required
MC number (Motor Carrier number) obtained via FMCSA Form OP-1
FMCSA Registration Fee
$300
One-time FMCSA application fee for Operating Authority
Surety Bond / Trust Fund
$75,000 (BMC-84 surety bond or BMC-85 trust fund)
$75,000 trust fund (BMC-85) as alternative to surety bond (BMC-84)
BOC-3 (Process Agent)
Required
Designation of process agents (BOC-3) must be filed covering all US states, territories, and the District of Columbia
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)
Required
Annual fee: $176
USDOT Number
Required
Freight broker authority is regulated at the federal level by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). All brokers must obtain an MC number, maintain a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund, designate a process agent (BOC-3), register with the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) program, and obtain a USDOT number. These requirements apply uniformly across all 50 states.
Not sure if you need a freight broker license? Check whether your state requires one.
State-specific business and licensing requirements
Mostly verifiedAdditional State License
Not Required
VerifiedBusiness License
Required
Mostly verifiedState Registration Details
Business entity registration with Texas Secretary of State is required for LLCs, corporations, and other formal entities. A Texas sales tax permit from the Comptroller may be required depending on services.
Sales Tax Considerations
Texas has no state income tax. Sales tax registration may be required depending on services offered.
While freight broker authority is federally regulated, most states require standard business registration (LLC, corporation, etc.) and may have additional requirements such as a state business license, sales tax registration, or specific state-level broker permits. Requirements vary significantly by state.
Education, Training & Industry Certifications
VerifiedFederal Education Required
No
Recommended Training
While not required by FMCSA, freight broker training courses are strongly recommended. Programs typically cover regulations, operations, sales, and carrier/shipper relations.
Industry Certifications
There is no federal education requirement to become a freight broker. However, completing a freight broker training course is strongly recommended to understand industry operations, regulations, and best practices. Industry certifications such as the TIA Certified Transportation Broker (CTB) designation can enhance credibility and demonstrate professional competency.
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Insurance Coverage & Surety Bond
Mostly verifiedSurety Bond Cost Range
$750-$10,000 per year (typically 1-10% of $75,000 bond amount, varies by credit score)
Cargo Insurance
Not required for brokers by FMCSA, but recommended. Protects against cargo loss/damage claims.
General Liability
Recommended minimum $1,000,000 general liability coverage for business protection.
Contingent Cargo
Recommended for additional protection. Covers cargo when the carrier's insurance is insufficient.
The FMCSA requires a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund. Annual bond premiums typically range from $750 to $9,000+ depending on credit score and business history. While cargo insurance and contingent cargo insurance are not federally mandated for brokers, they are strongly recommended and often expected by shippers and carriers.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
FMCSA Application Fee One-time fee for FMCSA Operating Authority application (Form OP-1) | $300 |
Surety Bond Annual Premium Annual premium varies by credit score; typically 1-10% of the $75,000 bond amount | $750-$10,000 |
BOC-3 Filing Fee One-time fee paid to a process agent service | $30-$50 |
UCR Annual Fee 2024-2025 annual UCR fee for brokers with 0-2 vehicles | $176 |
State Business License Fee Approximate range for Texas business registration and licensing | $300-$750 |
Total Initial Fees Includes FMCSA application ($300), UCR ($176), BOC-3 (~$35), surety bond premium ($750-$10,000), and state business license fees. Bond premium varies significantly by credit score. | $1,561-$11,261 |
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Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
VerifiedAnnual — UCR registration must be completed and fee paid before January 1 of the registration year (i.e., by December 31 of the preceding year). Registration portal opens October 1.
UCR Renewal
Annual — surety bond must be maintained continuously; lapses trigger FMCSA revocation proceedings
Surety Bond Renewal
Not Required
Continuing Education
Operating Authority Renewal
FMCSA Operating Authority (MC Number) does not expire, but UCR and surety bond require annual renewal/maintenance
Regulatory Board
Freight broker operating authority (MC number) does not expire, but brokers must maintain their surety bond continuously and renew UCR registration annually. There is no federal continuing education requirement for freight brokers. Failure to maintain the surety bond or UCR registration can result in revocation of operating authority.
Texas has no state income tax and massive freight volume. Border crossings with Mexico drive demand. No additional state broker licensing.
Freight brokerage is primarily regulated at the federal level by FMCSA. State requirements are limited to business registration and licensing.
An FMCSA Operating Authority (MC Number) is required before arranging any interstate freight transportation.
The $75,000 surety bond (BMC-84) or trust fund (BMC-85) must be maintained continuously — lapses can result in authority revocation.
UCR registration must be renewed annually before December 31 for the following year.
Texas does not require any additional state-level freight broker licensing beyond federal FMCSA requirements.
Business registration with Texas Secretary of State is required to legally operate in Texas.
Freight Broker requirements in nearby states
See how Texas compares: Freight Broker License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Freight Broker Schools in Texas
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Study guides and business startup resources for freight brokers.
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Official Sources
Freight Broker requirements in Texas verified against Texas Secretary of State, March 2026.
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Moving to Texas? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Freight Broker license to Texas →
Transfer your Freight Broker license from Texas to: Arkansas → | Louisiana → | New Mexico → | Oklahoma →
Texas does not require an additional state license beyond federal FMCSA operating authority. A state business license is required. Business entity registration with Texas Secretary of State is required for LLCs, corporations, and other formal entities. A Texas sales tax permit from the Comptroller may be required depending on services. All freight brokers must obtain FMCSA operating authority and a $75,000 surety bond. State business registration is managed through the Texas Secretary of State.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority and the FMCSA.