welcome to TER - from a hobbyist

you have taken your first wise action already - seeking information before you make more decisions.  if you go to the self help center (the life saver at the top of the page) you will find plenty of additional reading.  Some of it for hobbyists and some for providers.   I would read it all.    At least skim it and be familiar with what information it contains.   This will generate some more questions.   Learn how to use the board search function and search the board for answers to your questions.  The Erotic Highway is a great board for health related topics,  the legal board can answer a lot of your concerns about being arrested and how to protect yourself.  

Get active on the boards after you have armed yourself with basic information.   Engage in a little back in forth on the boards with Providers and Hobbyists as well.  The newbie board is very friendly and you will find everyone here very helpful.  Participation on the other boards may require a little thick skin on your part.   Don't be surprised if you get a harsh response to your questions occasionally.

Finally, I would pay for VIP membership so that you can read reviews, and send and receive PM's (private messages, internal to TER membership only). If you click on the envelope icon next to a board posted user name, you can PM the poster - unless they are using an alias.   Read reviews of providers in your geographic area and reviews of providers that provide the services you are interested in offering.  

Please be very careful and do not make any decisions without thoughtful, informed consideration.