megabusa

I've always dried all my stars naturally, in the garage even in the winter.

They may take a few weeks but all the moisture eventually will come out without the risk of becoming driven-in caused by heat.

When I was making stuff, I used to use the weighing method. Stars spread out on a frame of wire mesh & weigh it every few days. When it stops losing weight, they are dry.

The new stars worked better despite humidity really getting to them. Still very slow but they did actually feel damp. Burned more like a vibrant yellow firefly. Not giving up yet. I'll just have to dry them in a warm air box and then bag them up in a ziplock with a sachet of silica gel. May even pop them in a bag inside the rocket header.

Don't force-dry them too quickly or the moisture will get 'driven in' & they will never dry.

I found stars with a high charcoal content would dry after about 3 weeks without any added warmth.

Yep, as Martyn says you have to use a star gun.

I have tested many stars that looked almost 'dud' on the ground, but come to life when fired in the air.

Dragons eggs are used for the crackle.

Not sure if you have considered this but it would be more flexible if they would recognise different forms of competency proof.

For example, I am registered as a senior firer with the BPA. I would hope this shows some form of competence. I know it doesn't prove anything from the chemistry aspect but it does from the point of handling explosive / dangerous materials & the relevant safety related to them.

However, many people don't fire professional shows & only use consumer fireworks in addition to experimentation, so they may not have this, so other methods would be needed.