...my first experience was through an agency.  The DC area has some good ones, apparently.  It was surprising easy, and I had a really good experience.  Good luck!

I got lucky when I started and met a wonderful independant who saw me with no references (I will contact her to see if she wants me to revealwho she is).  Now I realize I was very lucky, lol.  I then used an agency, they do a check and then your good to go with anyone in the agency.  I just recently got verified through a website (date-check, preffered411, etc.)  That is the easiest in my opinion cause then you don't have to send references every single time to get checked out (as long as the girl uses the website).  Just my two cents.

...verified by DateCheck and/or P411.  It will broaden the choice of providers willing to see you.

I contacted a lady that advertises here on the board. She advised me to get a P411 account, which was easy. That got me verified, so that I did not have to send my personal info to everyone I wanted to see. Now that I have seen a few ladies, I have also asked them at the end of the session if I could use them as a reference. (Hint: right after I tipped them also). It is a service industry after all.