Reprinted with permission from TIA
The staff at TIA has seen countless people pass through the Certified Transportation Broker program and emerge on the other side a more confident, wiser, and more impactful broker. It’s a rigorous course, and not for the faint of heart. Let’s hear from a recent graduate – and new member of the CTB Steering Committee – David Regnier of Run Freight about his experience, and what getting certified means to him.
When I first heard about the CTB program, I figured it was just another certificate to tack onto the resume. But I kept hearing good things, so I applied for the Avalon Risk Management CTB scholarship. What I didn’t expect was how much it would actually change the way I work — and think — about this business.
Let’s be clear: it’s not easy. It takes time, focus, and a little bit of humility. There were moments I thought, Do I really need to know all this legal stuff? But the more I went through it, the more it clicked. The things I’d just been winging before — contracts, liability, even the finer points of rate negotiations — suddenly made a whole lot more sense.
It wasn’t about memorizing rules. It was about understanding the industry we all live in day to day.
And honestly, it gave me confidence. I’ve been in freight long enough to know that anyone can book a load. But not everyone can explain what happens when things go sideways, or why something matters legally, or how to structure a fair contract. CTB gives you that edge. It makes you better. Period.
What surprised me most, though, was the pride that came with finishing it. You don’t just get handed this one. You earn it. And when you do, you join a group of people who’ve decided to take this business seriously.
If you’re on the fence, here’s my take: do it. Don’t wait for the “right time.” There isn’t one. Just commit. Study hard. Pass the test. You’ll walk away better for it — and your business will too.
