Great thread Sage, I'm somewhat of a "body modification" person but I haven't yet had the chance to get many piercings. I just moved so I need to find a good piercer but I'm told there's a very good tattoo shop in town and my roommate wants to go get another tattoo so I may tag along so I can see what they're like and if they have a good piercer. (I can't wait hehe) There aren't many good tattoo artists in Arizona so if I could find a tattoo artist and a piercer in one place that would be awesome. And I will make sure to check about the certification!
As far as clit hood piercings...I kinda want one but that is really the one area of my body that I am self consious about. I'm leaving that as a "we'll see" piercing for after my nipples.
I agree with Sage that if you have a good piercer who you're comfortable with the experience is much more positive. It seems like this goes for tattoo artists too, which makes sense.
Ah, I ramble