Just wondering if you could identify any local providers who would see newbies. If you find one and she is amenable to seeing you then you have cultivated your first reference. Start there and as you would see more providers then you would have more references.
Also you might want to identify active hobbyist in your area. You might want to go to sights such as TER,BGFE and here just to identify the active hobbyist. Then you might give a slight inducement if they give you some ink. Then once you have a commendable source then your quest for verification will be attainable.
She was reviewed by myself in the New Mexico section 2-8-17 and I did a second update review today 3-8-17.
I've seen her three times, she's good as gold.