South Dakota Adopts NextGen Bar Exam Beginning in July 2027

PIERRE, S.D.—The South Dakota Supreme Court is announcing the adoption of the NextGen bar exam for those seeking admission to practice law in South Dakota beginning in July 2027.

The NextGen bar exam is being developed by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), which currently develops bar exam content for 54 of 56 U.S. jurisdictions. The highest court in each U.S. jurisdiction, which in South Dakota is the state’s Supreme Court, has authority over the admission of attorneys to practice in its courts, aided by its own bar admission agency.

“The adoption of the NextGen bar exam reflects South Dakota’s commitment to assuring that our future lawyers possess the practical skills and knowledge needed to effectively serve our communities,” said South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen. “The NextGen exam, along with other alternatives the Court is currently considering for bar admission, will ensure that newly admitted legal professionals are not only well-versed in the law but also equipped to meet the evolving demands of the profession.”

The NextGen bar exam will replace the current bar examination and will test a broad range of foundational lawyering skills, utilizing a focused set of clearly identified fundamental legal concepts and principles needed in today’s practice of law. Designed to balance the skills and knowledge needed in litigation and transactional legal practice, the exam will reflect many of the key changes that law schools are making today, building on the successes of clinical legal education programs, alternative dispute resolution programs, and legal writing and analysis programs.

Dean Neil Fulton with the University of South Dakota’s Knudson School of Law said, “The primary goals of the bar exam are to ensure that law school graduates are ready to effectively serve their clients and to protect the public, and this updated approach is designed to achieve that purpose. I am confident that the new bar exam represents a significant step forward for legal education and testing in South Dakota.”

The South Dakota Supreme Court and Board of Bar Examiners have been following the development of the NextGen bar exam and have hosted a prototype exam and nominated representatives to sit on a standard setting panel. The NextGen bar exam has been adopted by 30 jurisdictions.

The South Dakota Supreme Court will develop rules regarding the adoption of the NextGen bar exam in South Dakota, and the public will have an opportunity to comment during a rules hearing. Learn more about the NextGen bar exam at https://www.ncbex.org.