How to Apply for the South Dakota Bar Exam

The Board of Bar Examiners administers the South Dakota bar examination in Pierre, South Dakota, on the last Tuesday and Wednesday in February and July. Because the bar exam is offered only twice annually, it is vital that the bar application be both accurate and timely. The South Dakota bar application consists of a lengthy questionnaire. A separate request for the preparation of a character report filed with the National Conference of Bar Examiners is also necessary to sit for the bar examination.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Review the Rules for Admission to Practice Law in South Dakota 16-16-1 through 16-16-24 and the Regulations of the Board of Bar Examiners for the State of South Dakota to determine your eligibility to sit for the upcoming bar exam (see Who Can Help below).

2. Contact the Board of Bar Examiners by phone or mail to request an application to sit for the bar examination.

3. Commit your schedule to completing the application within the filing deadlines, November 1 for the February exam and April 1 for the July exam.

4. Answer all questions contained in the application thoroughly. Double-check for errors and omissions.

5. Get your application and authorization form notarized. Keep a photocopy of your completed and notarized application for your records.

6. Attach to your notarized application the appropriate fee, a current passport photograph, an authorization form, the laptop registration form (if necessary), a request for special testing accommodations (if appropriate) and five complete copies of the application.

7. Mail the application and supplementary materials to the Secretary for the South Dakota Board of Bar Examiners well within the stated deadlines for the desired bar exam. Any requests for special testing accommodations must accompany your application and include medical documentation of your disability.

8. Request a character report with the National Conference of Bar Examiners by November 1 for the February exam and April 1 for the July exam. A character evaluation is necessary to sit for the desired exam.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wish to use your laptop for the essay portion of the bar exam, download the appropriate form directly from the Bar Examiner's Web site and attach it to your application.
• All application fees must be paid by money order or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted.

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