must one be a master falconer to get an abatement permit?

are falconry advisory board members allowed to have abatement permits? if so, this would lead to conflicts of interest.

could a general falconer in NY file an application towards a master falconer upgrade before the date he/she is eligible?

I saw on a thread an estimate of the number of US falconers and how many of them actually kept birds. If there be a need for a master falconer to be a good falconer there is certainly a need for something discriminatory.