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The Complete Logistics Industry Credential from Logistical Forwarding Solutions – Freight University.online The modern logistics industry doesn’t reward guesses, shortcuts, or “YouTube-certified” operators. It rewards people who understand FMCSA-aligned operations, freight economics, safety, dispatching, brokering, lane analysis, and business fundamentals—the entire stack.

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The Professional Logistics Service Provider (PLSP) Certification from Logistical Forwarding Solutions / Freight University is built to validate exactly that.
This is a full-spectrum logistics certification, earned by completing the FreightUniversity.online training content and passing a comprehensive online exam with a required 85% or higher.

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It is the only credential of its kind:
✔ Covers Brokerage, Dispatch, Research, Trucking Company Startup, and Compliance/Safety
✔ Confirms mastery across 14+ domains
✔ Provides a public verification page for employers and contracts
✔ Includes a personal results call from Michael Thomas
✔ Costs $129 for the certification exam

This is a realistic, industry-built standard—not a participation trophy.
When you earn this certification, you’ve demonstrated actual, operational competency across the logistics field.

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What the PLSP Certification Covers (Full Scope Mastery)

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When a graduate passes the exam, they are verified as a Professional Logistics Service Provider who has mastered the subjects below. This is not a “choose one track” certificate—this validates competency across the entire logistics ecosystem.

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1. Logistics Foundations & Industry Fluency

To operate professionally, you must speak the language of the supply chain. This section confirms mastery of:

• Roles: shipper, receiver, carrier, dispatcher, broker, consignee, 3PL/4PL

• Freight economics: RPM/CPM, headhaul vs. backhaul, L/T ratios, seasonality

• Equipment: dry van, reefer, flatbed, power-only, basic intermodal

• Documentation: BOL, POD, rate confirmation, lumper receipts, accessorial approvals

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Outcome: You can confidently communicate with shippers and carriers, choose correct equipment, and calculate viable RPM with sustainable margins.

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2. Freight Brokerage & Agent Operations

This section aligns with the needs of freight brokers, freight agents, or those planning on obtaining a brokerage authority.

Covered competencies:

• Broker authority, BMC-84 bonding, COI considerations

• Understanding broker vs. dispatcher vs. carrier rules

• Carrier vetting & fraud prevention

• Load tendering, setpoints, seal integrity, appointment standards

• OS&D handling, documentation, evidence collection

• Customer acquisition and lane design

Outcome: You can price lanes intelligently, win freight ethically, onboard carriers safely, and protect both your customer and your margins.

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3. Dispatch Operations & Fleet Planning

The dispatch section measures real operational skill.

You’ll master:

• HOS/ELD cycles, limits, and annotation rules

• Pre-planning 24–48 hour coverage

• Live vs. drop planning and dwell reduction

• KPI management: on-time %, deadhead %, revenue per truck

• Reefer operations: pulp temps, seals, continuous vs. cycle

• Driver communication and retention methods

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Outcome: You can run weekly dispatch plans that are HOS-compliant, productive, and reliable—without burning out drivers or missing appointments.

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4. Freight Research, Lane Design & Market Intelligence

For those who want to operate with analytical precision.

Skills include:

• Lane scorecard creation

• Understanding seasonality, tolls, fuel, and risk

• Headhaul/backhaul planning

• Data sourcing: load boards, USDA reports, rail/port data

• Shipper outreach based on defensible lane models

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Outcome: You can turn raw freight data into repeatable, profitable lanes and pitch them with evidence—not guesswork.

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5. Trucking Company Startup & Company-Building

This section validates your ability to build or manage a compliant trucking operation.

Covered topics:

• Entity structure & risk separation

• USDOT/MC filings, UCR, IFTA/IRP basics

• Insurance standards ($1M auto, $100k cargo)

• Billing packets, detention/TONU, factoring rules

• Hiring requirements, MVR checks, drug/alcohol program

• Building compliant DQ files

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Outcome: You can launch and operate a legally compliant motor carrier with sound cash flow and proper documentation.

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6. FMCSA Compliance, Safety & Risk Management

Because logistics is a compliance-driven industry.

Mastery includes:

• Safety systems, policies, telematics, and coaching

• New Entrant Audit readiness

• Recordkeeping and corrective action planning

• Post-accident protocols and evidence preservation

• Nuclear verdict avoidance

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Outcome: You can manage safety proactively, pass audits, and maintain a defensible safety score.

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7. Power-Only, Trailer Interchange & Drop/Hook Programs

For operators working with Amazon Relay, retail DCs, or Phoenix power-only logistics.

Competencies:

• Power-only use cases and interchange rules

• Insurance requirements and contract language

• Yard operations and hostler coordination

• Regional planning (PHX, DFW, Memphis, etc.)

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Outcome: You can negotiate interchange terms, minimize dwell, and operate power-only programs safely.

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8. Intermodal Awareness & Terminal-Fed Demand

Understanding intermodal gives you an unfair advantage.

Skills include:

• Rail/port signals and inland TL forecasting

• Drayage appointments and chassis management

• Cross-dock transfers

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Outcome: You can predict truckload surges driven by port and rail activity.

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9. Government, Grants & Contract Readiness

For individuals seeking government freight, grants, or small-business contracts.

Mastery includes:

• SAM.gov registration, UEI, DSBS profile

• Basic FAR literacy

• Understanding liquidated damages and schedule buffers

• Where to find opportunities

• Awareness of WIOA/ETPL/GI Bill options

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Outcome: You know how to prepare federal profiles and read solicitations without overpromising.

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10. Financials, Pricing & Profit Discipline

Operational success depends on math, not hope.

Skills include:

• Lane economics: RPM vs CPM

• Fuel strategy and IFTA

• Margin management for brokers

• Billing cadence and AR hygiene

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Outcome: You can price lanes profitably and maintain cash flow through every market cycle.

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11. Technology, TMS, Data & Automation

Logistics today is data-driven.

You’ll learn:

• TMS navigation and workflow (order → tender → track → bill → settle)

• ELD/API visibility

• AI-based scoring and analytics

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Outcome: You can operate a modern, tech-enabled logistics operation with less manual work and better reporting.

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12. Customer Experience, Sales & Account Management

Because retaining freight is more important than acquiring it.

Skills include:

• Discovery, needs analysis, ROI framing

• Pilot lane management

• KPI scorecards and QBRs

• Shipper communications and variance notices

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Outcome: You can win accounts—and keep them.

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13. Ethics, Fraud Defense & Professional Standards

This industry is full of pitfalls. You must know how to defend yourself and your clients.

Mastery includes:

• Double-brokering risks

• Identity verification

• Secure document handling

• Professional communication standards

Outcome: You can protect shippers and carriers while maintaining ethical, scalable operations.

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14. Capstone & Demonstration of Mastery

Before certification, students demonstrate real, practical capability.

Includes building:

• A lane bundle with pricing and risk plans

• A compliance packet

• A mock DQ file

• A billing and insurance proof set

• A pilot-lane shipper proposal

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Outcome: You can present a ready-to-run logistics solution that any employer or customer can trust.

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Cost of the Certification Exam – $129 ( The Course Is Free ! The Certification is Not !)

The exam fee is a flat $129, which includes:

• Full access to the online testing platform

• Automatic AI-assisted scoring

• Topic-by-topic score report

• A personal results call from Michael Thomas

• Digital certificate + mailed certificate

• Your public verification page with QR code and credential details

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How the Certification Exam Works

1. You complete the FREE online course at FreightUniversity.online

2. You take the PLSP certification exam online

3. You must score 85% or higher

4. Your exam is graded instantly

5. Michael Thomas calls you personally to review results

6. If you pass, your certificate and verification page are created

7. If not, you receive coaching and can retake the exam after additional study

This is a genuinely earned credential.

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Verification Page for Employers & Shippers

Every graduate receives a unique public verification profile, displaying:

• Credential title

• Verification number & QR code

• Completion status

• Bio snapshot

• Subjects mastered

• Certificate image

This ensures employers, shippers, carriers, and contracting officers can verify your certification instantly.

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What the Certification Means (Plain and Direct)

A graduate holding the Professional Logistics Service Provider Certification has demonstrated:

• Practical ability to design freight lanes

• Capability to plan and dispatch weekly operations safely

• Understanding of FMCSA safety, documentation, and risk

• The skill to build or support a trucking company

• The discipline to price lanes profitably

• Ethical standards that protect shippers and carriers

• Familiarity with power-only, drop-hook, and government readiness

• Professional communication and documentation habits

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In short:
You operate with skill, compliance, and professionalism

across the logistics industry.