Freight Broker Certificate

What is the purpose of this permit?
A Forwarder is engaged in the business of soliciting, collecting or assembling shipments for the purpose of combining the same shipments into one shipment. A Broker provides contracts for, or undertakes to arrange for, transportation of property by two or more common carriers.
Who issues this permit?
Utilities and Transportation Commission
How much will this permit cost?
$25 application fee.
Where can I get the application for this permit?
The application is called 'Common Carrier Broker Registration - Application' is online and can be accessed at https://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/transportation/freightBrokers/Pages/default.aspx.
Do I need to include anything with my application?
Surety Bond in the amount of $10,000.
How long will it take to review my application?
It takes 1 day to process a completed application. If the application is incomplete, it takes an average of 10.3 days.
Where do I submit my application?
Click here to upload and e-File your application. Note your electronic filing confirmation number and fee amount.

Click here to pay online.
Legal Authority:
Permit Timeliness Results

Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.

All permits submitted for reporting were entered into this Regulatory Handbook. Here are the results of the performance data:

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)
Average number of days from Receipt to Complete: 7.3
Maximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: 141

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 1
Maximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 19

(Summary results based on 623 submittals in 2023)

Where can I get permitting assistance?
Web page URL: http://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/transportation/freightBrokers/Pages/default.aspx
Helpdesk phone: 360-664-1222
Subject matter expert phone: Eric Villar 360-664-1170
Subject matter expert email: eric.villar@utc.wa.gov
Statewide Contact:
Utilities and Transportation Commission
621 Woodland Square Loop SE
PO Box 47250, Olympia WA 98504-7250
Lacey, WA 98503
Telephone: (360) 664-1160
Email: transportation@utc.wa.gov
Website: http://www.utc.wa.gov
* Permit information last updated 10/5/2021
[v2]