Bard

Qualifications

The Basics Knowledge of the standard ballads, an understanding of Ferali history in general and their country's history specifically, and cartographic skills. A bard also needs to know have mastery of at least one instrument--be it their voice or a construct--but the more they can play the better. Bards who can read musical notation, note down music, and create new songs generally go further in the ranks than those who can't do any of those things.
Once they've met these requirements, they're free to join a faction. Many factions are based around common interests and bards aren't limited to just one. The most coveted factions are by invitation only.

Lorekeepers
These bards focus less on their musicality and more on the preservation and teaching of history. They don't wander their home countries much except to go chasing down interesting documents and artifacts if they can't get someone else to get it for them. Lorekeepers inevitably teach hopeful bards their history lessons.
To become a member of this faction one must be invited. They watch all potential candidates for their interest in history and lack of wanderlust.

Valor
Bards tend to travel alone and as such may encounter dangerous situations such as bandits and dangerous creatures. Part of their schooling involves some basic weapons work for when their words won't help them. Older members of this faction are responsible for this aspect of a bard's training as only they really know what's out there and what they'll need.
They invite new faction members based on their aptitude, ferocity, and ability to think on their hooves.

The Hall of Whispers
Not much is known about this faction until one receives an invitation to join it. There's always a Whisperer or two present at the training hall, keeping a watchful eye on the trainees. These bards are spies who work under the direction of their country's current monarch. When they select a potential recruit, they make a recommendation to the head of their faction, who in turn speaks to the King or Queen. If the candidate is deemed suitable then and only then are they approached. No one turns down an invitation to this faction.
It's not known what qualities the Whisperers look for in recruits as no two members of this faction are alike in skill and personality.

Spellsingers
With this faction you either have what it takes to join them or you don't. These are a unique type of magi. While magi generally come from the nobility, bards come from all walks of life. Should a bard be discovered with the gift, they receive magi training right alongside their bardic schooling. They usually follow the path of the red or white magi, but they've been known to come from other magi branches. They're almost never grey magi.
Spellsingers are quite rare and highly celebrated.

Requirements

A bard needs to have some measure of musical ability, whether that be with an instrument or vocal. An ideal candidate has some skill in both fields. Literacy is considered a plus, but reading skills can be taught if a candidate has musical skills that warrant the extra effort.

Appointment

Each candidate is different and learns at a different pace. They're raised from student to full Bard when their instructor feels they're ready. If there's a particular subject they're not doing well and yet everything else is meeting expectations it will hold he individual back.