You're correct in the three species of birds although there are some slight variations for some states, (i.e. Apprentices can fly a Goshawk in Alaska!)
Due to my available space however I will be starting with a Kestrel...this way I don't have to shell out $1000 to put up a mews, and a fence around the mews and a fence around the fence ! With the kestrel...a simple indoor block or bow perch on a turf covered platform works great !
The apprenticeship lasts for two years but I have been handling these sorts of raptors since I was about 10 years old (NEVERMIND HOW LONG AGO THAT WAS !!!!) so my experience with Kestrels is pretty extensive already. You are right however, Fish and Game do keep tabs on new falconers,,,,hopefully a very watchful eye,,,,,so that the birds are not put in harms way due to an inattentive student falconer.
After this apprenticeship is over I plan to trap a Prairie Falcon in Kansas for another two year hitch then move to a Gyr/Barbary Hybrid that my dad has "made" from his breeders. They are amazing birds to watch work !