Press release:

The Highline Community College Continuing Education department and the Center of Excellence for International Trade, Transportation and Logistics are introducing a new course for individuals who plan to sit for the U.S. Customs Broker’s License Examination this fall.

The ten-week course is one of the first in-class Customs Broker’s Examination prep course options available in the region. It will occur from July 18 – September 19, 2012, and will feature a high-profile facilitator, Microsoft’s Director of International Trade, John Soares. A trade expert with more than twenty years of experience in the industry and a licensed customs broker himself, John possesses an in-depth knowledge of regulatory compliance, customs procedures and trade management.

The new course at Highline will offer comprehensive preparation for the exam. Students will read key source material, learn sound test-taking strategies, take practice exams and engage with fellow classmates in a classroom setting. The course is formatted to encourage student learning and retention of testing material through real-world applications and peer-to-peer discussion.

Licensed customs brokers are certified and empowered by the U.S. Government to assist businesses with meeting federal requirements related to importing and exporting. They are recognized in the industry and provide value to companies seeking to better navigate the complexities of international trade laws and regulations. Currently, there are approximately 11,000 active licensed customs brokers in the U.S. and demand for the Customs Broker License is growing.

Administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP), the test is offered twice a year, with the next test taking place in October 2012. Individuals taking the test must meet certain minimum score, citizenship and employment requirements in order to be granted the license.

For registration, classroom information, course updates and cost information, visit: http://ce.highline.edu.