California Certified Engineering
Geologist Exam Practice Test|Questions
With Complete Solutions ||Confirmed
Study Material With Rationals 2026
Engineering Geology - ANSWER-The application of the geologic sciences to
engineering practice for the purpose of assuring that the geologic factors affecting the
location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are
recognized and adequately provided for
What do engineering geologists do? - ANSWER-*analyze sites and designs for
environmentally sensitive developments
*provide analysis for site selection
*Advise/educate elected officials and the public on geologic hazards
*investigate the geological conditions at a site and to present these in a simplified
ground model or series of models
*work in civil engineering consulting or contracting with a team of engineers
Geologists define - ANSWER-the natural conditions including earth history, materials,
and geologic structure of a site
Engineer analyzes - ANSWER-the proposed site geometry based on the information
provided by the geologist and designs the development using engineering principles to
achieve the goal of the developer and mitigate any adverse effects of the natural site
conditons
Specific displines engineering geologists should know - ANSWER-*engineering geology
*hydrogeology
*geomorphology
*civil engineering design and practices
*sedimentology
*stratigraphy
*soil and Rock Mechanics
*Field Mapping and Surveying
*Geochemistry
*Structural Geology
*Geophysics
*Mineralogy/Petrology
,Standard of Care - ANSWER-*have leaning and skill ordinarily possessed by reputable
engineers practicing in the same or similar locality and under similar circumstances
*use care and skill ordinarily possessed by reputable engineers practicing in the same
or similar locality and under similar circumstances
*use reasonable diligence and judgement
*to accomplish the purpose for which the engineer was employed
How to become a licensed PG in California? - ANSWER-1. Bachelors in Geology
2. GIT Exam
3. 3-5 years experience under PG
4. PG Exam
Legal process and role of expert witness. Who does the expert in the dispute have a
duty to when presenting his findings? - ANSWER-the court
Three conclusions from St. Francis Dam? - ANSWER-1. a FS below 1 does not mean
that the structure failed due to that condition or only that condition
2. We won't identify conditions that we are not specifically looking for
3. Engineering geology is a subjective science
Ministerial Permit - ANSWER-follow code, permit must be granted
Discretionary Permit - ANSWER-entitlement, evaluated by decision maker according to
guidelines but evaluation and judgement is involved. Permit can be denited
What is meant by a holistic approach in creating a geologic model? - ANSWER-
Evaluation of a site based on its full geologic history
San Diego Geologic Hazards - ANSWER--Landslides
-Earthquake Fault Rupture Hazard
-Earthquake Induced Ground Failure
-Tsunami
-Seiche
-Flooding
-Dam Failure from Earthquake
-low lying coastal areas
-slope instability
Two documents used to design buildings and infrastructure in California - ANSWER-CA
building code and Greenbook
Define factor of safety? - ANSWER-resisting forces and driving forces
What is meant by factor of safety=1? - ANSWER-the frames are balanced exactly,
incipient failure
, Hard Rock - ANSWER->5000 fps
Rock - ANSWER-<2500-5000 fps
Very Dense Soil/Soft Rock - ANSWER-1200-2500 fps
Stiff Soil - ANSWER-600-1200 fps
Soft Soil - ANSWER-<600 fps
11 - ANSWER-How many geomorphic provinces are in California?
Cascade Range, Great Valley, Transverse Range, Peninsular Range, Colorado Desert,
Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevadas, Mojave Desert, Modoc Plateau, Klamath Mountains,
Basin and Range - ANSWER-Name all the California geomorphic provinces
Mount Whitney, Sierra Nevadas - ANSWER-Where is the tallest mountain in the lower
48 states?
Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, Klamath Mountains - ANSWER-In which geomorphic
province/s are California's glaciers found?
Basin and Range, Mojave Desert, Colorado Desert - ANSWER-In which geomorphic
province/s are California's deserts found?
bristlecone pine - ANSWER-What is the oldest living thing found in California?
true - ANSWER-T or F: Deserts in California are the lowest point in North America, have
the highest temperatures ever recorded, and have the oldest living things.
rain shadow effect - ANSWER-Why are the deserts so dry in California?
active volcanoes - ANSWER-This type of volcano has had an eruption in historic time.
Cascade Range - ANSWER-In which geomorphic province/s are California's active
volcanoes found?
Coast Ranges - ANSWER-In which geomorphic province/s are California's inactive
volcanoes found?
Sierra Nevadas, Cascade Range - ANSWER-Which geomorphic provinces have both
active volcanoes and glaciers?
oil - ANSWER-What is the main energy source in California?
Great Valley, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges - ANSWER-In which geomorphic
province/s are the main sources for oil/gas?
Geologist Exam Practice Test|Questions
With Complete Solutions ||Confirmed
Study Material With Rationals 2026
Engineering Geology - ANSWER-The application of the geologic sciences to
engineering practice for the purpose of assuring that the geologic factors affecting the
location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are
recognized and adequately provided for
What do engineering geologists do? - ANSWER-*analyze sites and designs for
environmentally sensitive developments
*provide analysis for site selection
*Advise/educate elected officials and the public on geologic hazards
*investigate the geological conditions at a site and to present these in a simplified
ground model or series of models
*work in civil engineering consulting or contracting with a team of engineers
Geologists define - ANSWER-the natural conditions including earth history, materials,
and geologic structure of a site
Engineer analyzes - ANSWER-the proposed site geometry based on the information
provided by the geologist and designs the development using engineering principles to
achieve the goal of the developer and mitigate any adverse effects of the natural site
conditons
Specific displines engineering geologists should know - ANSWER-*engineering geology
*hydrogeology
*geomorphology
*civil engineering design and practices
*sedimentology
*stratigraphy
*soil and Rock Mechanics
*Field Mapping and Surveying
*Geochemistry
*Structural Geology
*Geophysics
*Mineralogy/Petrology
,Standard of Care - ANSWER-*have leaning and skill ordinarily possessed by reputable
engineers practicing in the same or similar locality and under similar circumstances
*use care and skill ordinarily possessed by reputable engineers practicing in the same
or similar locality and under similar circumstances
*use reasonable diligence and judgement
*to accomplish the purpose for which the engineer was employed
How to become a licensed PG in California? - ANSWER-1. Bachelors in Geology
2. GIT Exam
3. 3-5 years experience under PG
4. PG Exam
Legal process and role of expert witness. Who does the expert in the dispute have a
duty to when presenting his findings? - ANSWER-the court
Three conclusions from St. Francis Dam? - ANSWER-1. a FS below 1 does not mean
that the structure failed due to that condition or only that condition
2. We won't identify conditions that we are not specifically looking for
3. Engineering geology is a subjective science
Ministerial Permit - ANSWER-follow code, permit must be granted
Discretionary Permit - ANSWER-entitlement, evaluated by decision maker according to
guidelines but evaluation and judgement is involved. Permit can be denited
What is meant by a holistic approach in creating a geologic model? - ANSWER-
Evaluation of a site based on its full geologic history
San Diego Geologic Hazards - ANSWER--Landslides
-Earthquake Fault Rupture Hazard
-Earthquake Induced Ground Failure
-Tsunami
-Seiche
-Flooding
-Dam Failure from Earthquake
-low lying coastal areas
-slope instability
Two documents used to design buildings and infrastructure in California - ANSWER-CA
building code and Greenbook
Define factor of safety? - ANSWER-resisting forces and driving forces
What is meant by factor of safety=1? - ANSWER-the frames are balanced exactly,
incipient failure
, Hard Rock - ANSWER->5000 fps
Rock - ANSWER-<2500-5000 fps
Very Dense Soil/Soft Rock - ANSWER-1200-2500 fps
Stiff Soil - ANSWER-600-1200 fps
Soft Soil - ANSWER-<600 fps
11 - ANSWER-How many geomorphic provinces are in California?
Cascade Range, Great Valley, Transverse Range, Peninsular Range, Colorado Desert,
Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevadas, Mojave Desert, Modoc Plateau, Klamath Mountains,
Basin and Range - ANSWER-Name all the California geomorphic provinces
Mount Whitney, Sierra Nevadas - ANSWER-Where is the tallest mountain in the lower
48 states?
Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, Klamath Mountains - ANSWER-In which geomorphic
province/s are California's glaciers found?
Basin and Range, Mojave Desert, Colorado Desert - ANSWER-In which geomorphic
province/s are California's deserts found?
bristlecone pine - ANSWER-What is the oldest living thing found in California?
true - ANSWER-T or F: Deserts in California are the lowest point in North America, have
the highest temperatures ever recorded, and have the oldest living things.
rain shadow effect - ANSWER-Why are the deserts so dry in California?
active volcanoes - ANSWER-This type of volcano has had an eruption in historic time.
Cascade Range - ANSWER-In which geomorphic province/s are California's active
volcanoes found?
Coast Ranges - ANSWER-In which geomorphic province/s are California's inactive
volcanoes found?
Sierra Nevadas, Cascade Range - ANSWER-Which geomorphic provinces have both
active volcanoes and glaciers?
oil - ANSWER-What is the main energy source in California?
Great Valley, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges - ANSWER-In which geomorphic
province/s are the main sources for oil/gas?
