i'm a newbie, and i think i've found a provider for my "first time", and on her website it says she wants provider references or a "work reference".

Like I said, I've never done this before, so provider references are out...but by work reference do you think she just means she wants to verify that i work where i work, or does she want a personal reference like what one would provide in a job interview?

two verification sites, they call you at work to check that you really work there.

They didn't ask my boss if I do a good job, or anything like that.

do they make up a reason for calling?

some places you might stir up trbl just by having an anonymous call come in for you? (ie boss might think you're looking for other jobs)

On both sites when you sign up there is a text box you where you can specify what the caller will say.

ask for you they tell the person answering the phone that they are returning your call.

She will call and ask for you to verify that you really do work there.  If the person that answers the phone tells them to wait while she/he transfers the call to you, she will probably just hang up when placed on hold.  She now knows that the place she called is your real place of work, and that you are more than likely not LE.

It's that simple.
Swim

I do just as Swim stated. I just want verification that you are indeed who you say you are...That's about it...I don't go into detailor anything of that nature and I generally call from a bloked number.
Sidney Lang