California Certified Engineering
Geologist Exam Practice Test Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & CALIFORNIA LAWS
Q1. What is the primary regulatory body overseeing the licensure of
Engineering Geologists in California?
• A) California Geological Survey (CGS)
• B) California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
• C) Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
(BPELSG)
• D) Department of Conservation
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: C
Rationale: BPELSG is responsible for issuing and regulating licenses in California
for geologists, engineering geologists, and geophysicists.
Q2. Which of the following geologic hazards is most directly addressed in the
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
• A) Landslides
, • B) Liquefaction
• C) Surface fault rupture
• D) Ground subsidence
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: C
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act focuses specifically
on mitigating the hazard of surface fault rupture near active faults.
Q3. According to the California Geological Survey, a fault is defined as
"active" if it has experienced surface displacement within which timeframe?
• A) Last 500 years
• B) Last 11,700 years (Holocene)
• C) Last 50,000 years
• D) Last 1.6 million years (Pleistocene)
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: The California Geological Survey defines an active fault as one with
surface displacement during the Holocene epoch (approximately the last 11,700
years).
Q4. Under the California Seismic Hazards Mapping Act, which two hazards
are required to be identified on state-issued maps?
• A) Fault rupture and tsunami inundation
• B) Liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides
• C) Subsidence and expansive soils
• D) Volcanic eruption and flooding
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act (1990) requires mapping of zones
prone to liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides.
,Q5. Under California law, who is legally allowed to sign a fault investigation
report for a subdivision within an Alquist-Priolo Zone?
• A) Any licensed civil engineer
• B) A licensed surveyor
• C) A California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
• D) A general contractor with experience
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: C
Rationale: The BPELSG requires that fault hazard investigations in Alquist-Priolo
Zones be conducted and signed by a Certified Engineering Geologist.
Q6. Which California law requires local agencies to consider geologic hazard
maps in planning and development decisions?
• A) CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)
• B) The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
• C) The Alquist-Priolo Act
• D) The Building Standards Code
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: A
Rationale: CEQA mandates the consideration of environmental impacts, including
geologic hazards, in land-use planning.
Q7. The "Sales Final" statement on a vehicle purchase contract in Ontario
must be printed in what font size and location?
• A) 10-point bold, on the back page
• B) 14-point bold, on the same page as and adjacent to the buyer's signature
• C) 12-point standard, at the top of the contract
• D) 16-point italic, on a separate disclosure form
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: Ontario regulations require the "Sales Final" statement to appear in 14-
, point bold font on the same page as and adjacent to the buyer's signature line to
ensure the consumer sees and acknowledges it.
Q8. A soil with 60% sand, 30% silt, and 10% clay falls into which textural
classification?
• A) Silty clay
• B) Loamy sand
• C) Sandy loam
• D) Silt loam
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: C
Rationale: According to the soil texture triangle, a mixture of 60% sand, 30% silt,
and 10% clay is classified as sandy loam.
SECTION 2: GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Q9. Which geologic hazard is most often overlooked in residential hillside
developments in Southern California?
• A) Subsidence from groundwater withdrawal
• B) Expansive soils
• C) Landslides from slope instability
• D) Tsunami run-up
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: C
Rationale: Hillside developments are prone to slope failure; landslides are a
recurring hazard in California residential areas, especially after storms and
wildfires.
Geologist Exam Practice Test Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & CALIFORNIA LAWS
Q1. What is the primary regulatory body overseeing the licensure of
Engineering Geologists in California?
• A) California Geological Survey (CGS)
• B) California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
• C) Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
(BPELSG)
• D) Department of Conservation
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: C
Rationale: BPELSG is responsible for issuing and regulating licenses in California
for geologists, engineering geologists, and geophysicists.
Q2. Which of the following geologic hazards is most directly addressed in the
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
• A) Landslides
, • B) Liquefaction
• C) Surface fault rupture
• D) Ground subsidence
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: C
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act focuses specifically
on mitigating the hazard of surface fault rupture near active faults.
Q3. According to the California Geological Survey, a fault is defined as
"active" if it has experienced surface displacement within which timeframe?
• A) Last 500 years
• B) Last 11,700 years (Holocene)
• C) Last 50,000 years
• D) Last 1.6 million years (Pleistocene)
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: The California Geological Survey defines an active fault as one with
surface displacement during the Holocene epoch (approximately the last 11,700
years).
Q4. Under the California Seismic Hazards Mapping Act, which two hazards
are required to be identified on state-issued maps?
• A) Fault rupture and tsunami inundation
• B) Liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides
• C) Subsidence and expansive soils
• D) Volcanic eruption and flooding
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act (1990) requires mapping of zones
prone to liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides.
,Q5. Under California law, who is legally allowed to sign a fault investigation
report for a subdivision within an Alquist-Priolo Zone?
• A) Any licensed civil engineer
• B) A licensed surveyor
• C) A California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
• D) A general contractor with experience
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: C
Rationale: The BPELSG requires that fault hazard investigations in Alquist-Priolo
Zones be conducted and signed by a Certified Engineering Geologist.
Q6. Which California law requires local agencies to consider geologic hazard
maps in planning and development decisions?
• A) CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)
• B) The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
• C) The Alquist-Priolo Act
• D) The Building Standards Code
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: A
Rationale: CEQA mandates the consideration of environmental impacts, including
geologic hazards, in land-use planning.
Q7. The "Sales Final" statement on a vehicle purchase contract in Ontario
must be printed in what font size and location?
• A) 10-point bold, on the back page
• B) 14-point bold, on the same page as and adjacent to the buyer's signature
• C) 12-point standard, at the top of the contract
• D) 16-point italic, on a separate disclosure form
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: Ontario regulations require the "Sales Final" statement to appear in 14-
, point bold font on the same page as and adjacent to the buyer's signature line to
ensure the consumer sees and acknowledges it.
Q8. A soil with 60% sand, 30% silt, and 10% clay falls into which textural
classification?
• A) Silty clay
• B) Loamy sand
• C) Sandy loam
• D) Silt loam
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: C
Rationale: According to the soil texture triangle, a mixture of 60% sand, 30% silt,
and 10% clay is classified as sandy loam.
SECTION 2: GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Q9. Which geologic hazard is most often overlooked in residential hillside
developments in Southern California?
• A) Subsidence from groundwater withdrawal
• B) Expansive soils
• C) Landslides from slope instability
• D) Tsunami run-up
CORRECT ,,,ANSWER,,,: C
Rationale: Hillside developments are prone to slope failure; landslides are a
recurring hazard in California residential areas, especially after storms and
wildfires.
