How early can I report CLE credits in South Dakota?

South Dakota attorneys currently have no mandatory CLE requirement.

A proposal is under review that could establish a 20-hour biennial CLE requirement beginning in 2027, but it has not yet been adopted by the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Details

• At present, attorneys may complete CLE voluntarily, but it is not required for license renewal.

• On June 20, 2025, the State Bar voted to recommend a requirement of 20 hours every two years.

• Implementation depends on Supreme Court action, so the proposal is not yet enforceable.

• Until any mandatory rule is adopted, CLE in South Dakota remains optional and unregulated.

Key Takeaway: South Dakota has no current CLE mandate, though a 20-hour biennial requirement is under consideration for 2027.

Because South Dakota does not currently require mandatory CLE, there is no formal process for reporting CLE credits.
Attorneys may voluntarily attend continuing legal education, but there is no obligation to certify or submit those credits to any regulatory body.

Overview of South Dakota CLE Status

• The State Bar of South Dakota describes itself as a “Non-Mandatory CLE State.”
• The ABA also lists South Dakota as having no MCLE requirement.
• A recent vote among attorneys favored adopting mandatory CLE in the future (proposed 20 hours every two years beginning 2027), but such change has not yet been implemented.
• Until such rules are adopted and approved by the South Dakota Supreme Court, CLE remains voluntary for attorneys in the state.

Steps You Can Take (Voluntary / Best Practices)

• Keep detailed records of any CLE activity you complete: certificates, agendas, dates, providers.
• Use your CLE participation to satisfy requirements in other jurisdictions where you are licensed.
• Monitor developments in South Dakota law or court rules in case a mandatory CLE rule is adopted.
• If you earn credits through Sprout Education, retain proof of attendance; if a future rule requires reporting, you’ll be prepared to document your credits.

Key Takeaway: In South Dakota, there is currently no requirement to report CLE credits because CLE is not mandated. Sprout Education supports recordkeeping and reporting where required by other jurisdictions, but you are under no obligation to report CLE in South Dakota today.

No — you generally cannot request an extension for CLE reporting in South Dakota, because the state currently has no mandatory CLE requirement and thus no formal reporting deadlines to extend.

Details & nuance

• The State Bar of South Dakota states it is a non-mandatory CLE state, meaning attorneys are not required by law to complete or report CLE to maintain their license.
• Because there is no statutory CLE obligation or board-mandated compliance schedule, there is no mechanism in place to grant extensions for reporting.
• The South Dakota Bar’s CLE FAQ indicates that extensions are allowed “rarely, if ever,” contingent upon extraordinary circumstances — this implies discretion only in limited contexts, not a standard extension right.
• South Dakota attorneys recently voted in favor of adopting mandatory CLE beginning in 2027, but until that change is adopted, there is no existing extension or waiver regime tied to a reporting deadline.

Key Takeaway
Because South Dakota does not impose mandatory CLE or reporting requirements at present, you generally cannot request an extension for CLE reporting — the notion of extension is moot under the current framework.

No — South Dakota currently has no mandatory CLE requirement at all, so there is no distinction (and no burden) for part-time vs full-time attorneys.

South Dakota is a non-mandatory CLE state; attorneys are not required by rule to complete CLE to maintain their licenses.

Details:

• The State Bar of South Dakota affirms that CLE is voluntary, and practitioners are encouraged (but not required) to attend educational programs.
• In June 2025, state bar members voted in favor of a proposal to institute a mandatory CLE requirement of 20 hours every two years, commencing perhaps in 2027 — but that has not yet been adopted by the Supreme Court or become binding rule.
• Until (and unless) a mandatory rule is adopted, all CLE activity in South Dakota remains voluntary, with no reporting or compliance obligations.

Key Takeaway: Since South Dakota does not currently require any CLE, there is no difference in obligations for part-time or full-time attorneys — they both have zero mandated CLE under today’s rules.

No — South Dakota does not require CLE at all, so there is no requirement that CLE be live, webcast, or in person.

South Dakota CLE Rules

• CLE is entirely voluntary; there is no annual or biennial requirement.
• Attorneys may attend CLE events, but they are not required for license renewal.
• Formats such as live, webcast, or recorded programs may be offered voluntarily, but none are mandatory.

Key Takeaway: In South Dakota, CLE is not mandatory, so there is no requirement for live or in-person participation.

South Dakota currently has no mandatory CLE requirement, so there is no special rule for inactive attorneys.

Because CLE is not yet required, inactive status does not change any obligations—but if rules change, reinstatement rules may adopt CLE requirements.

Details

• State Bar offers an “Inactive Membership” option for members not practicing, with lower dues and no voting rights or practice rights.
• Inactive members may attend CLE programs (for a fee) but are not required to do so.
• South Dakota recently voted to adopt mandatory CLE (20 hours every two years starting 2027), but that rule has not yet taken effect.

Key Takeaway

In South Dakota, inactive attorneys have no CLE obligation today—and if CLE becomes mandatory in future, CLE obligations for reactivation will depend on the new rules.