Beginning in July, law students will be required to demonstrate knowledge on the basics of American Indian law to pass the South Dakota Bar exam.

The South Dakota Supreme Court voted to adopt a rule to require the state bar exam to include on essay question about American Indian law.

The essay question will include basic principles of federal American Indian law. It will not include tribal codes or customary laws.

South Dakota is the third state in the nation to add an American Indian law question to its state bar exam. The state board of bar examiners must report back to the state Supreme Court by Jan. 1, 2009, with an evaluation of the new rule.