S.D. Codified Laws § 16-16A-4 (2026)
Notwithstanding § 16-16-6, an applicant may obtain admission to practice as an attorney in this state through the public service pathway program if the applicant: 1. Meets the requirements set forth in § 16-16-2; 2. Complies with the criminal background investigation as required by § 16-16-2.6; 3. Provides evidence of graduation from the law school; 4. Provides evidence of successful completion of the public service pathway bar admission program through the law school; 5. Provides a portfolio of work demonstrating minimum competence to the satisfaction of the board; 6. Demonstrates competence in Indian law either through successful completion of a board-approved Indian law course at the law school with the testing option or successful completion of a one-question examination on Indian law offered by the board following an applicant’s successful completion of the program; 7. Achieves a score of 85 or higher on the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam; and 8. Commits to providing at least two years of public service. Commission Note: This section is effective until February 21, 2030, per § 16-16A-12.
Source: SL 2025, ch 227 ( Supreme Court Rule 25-01), eff. Feb. 21, 2025.