this is a question that's been asked many times, even today, also by me a few months ago. All you need to do is scroll down, and also read the Newbie Manual.  Short answer, call P411 and talk to the Nice Lady.

I am in the same situation.  Never been w/a provider.  Found one I wanted to see...I sent her an email telling her I had no references and asked if there was an alternate way she could screen me.  She asked me my company name and to send her a blank email from my company email.  I did and she accepted it.  To make it even better, she had to postpone, and she said if I wanted to use her as a reference for another provider, while telling her we had never met, she would tell her I did pass her reference check.
Pretty nice, I thought....

Good luck.