California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG) Exam
2026: 150 Practice Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales – BPELSG Licensing Prep | LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR
Exam Overview:
The California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG) exam, administered by the Board for
Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG), evaluates competency
in applying geologic principles to engineering practice. The test plan covers Project
Planning (18%), Data Collection (28%), Interpretation and Reporting (40%), and
Construction (14%). CEG certification requires a current Professional Geologist license,
additional years of qualifying engineering geologic experience under supervision, and
passage of the state-specific exam.
SECTION 1: PROJECT PLANNING (18%) – Questions 1-30
Q1. During a site investigation in California, you encounter a fault trace that offsets
Holocene alluvium. What is the most likely classification of this fault under the
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
Answer: Active fault
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Act defines an active fault as one that has shown
displacement in the last 11,700 years (Holocene time). Since Holocene alluvium is
displaced, the fault is classified as active.
Q2. Which geologic hazard is most directly addressed by the Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
Answer: Surface fault rupture
,Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Act focuses specifically on mitigating the hazard of surface
fault rupture near active faults, restricting construction for human occupancy on active fault
traces.
Q3. Under California law, who can sign a geologic hazard report for a subdivision
within an Alquist-Priolo Zone?
Answer: A California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
Rationale: BPELSG requires that fault hazard investigations in Alquist-Priolo Zones be
conducted and signed by a CEG.
Q4. According to CGS Special Publication 117A, what is the lowest acceptable Factor
of Safety in a liquefaction analysis?
Answer: 1.1
Rationale: CGS Special Publication 117A specifies a minimum Factor of Safety of 1.1 for
liquefaction analysis. A value below 1.1 is considered unacceptable.
Q5. What is the minimum width of an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone?
Answer: 500 feet
Rationale: Alquist-Priolo zones are typically 500 feet wide (approximately 250 feet on each
side of the active fault trace), but can be larger if more detailed mapping is available.
Q6. Which document is most useful for preliminary seismic hazard assessment in
California?
Answer: CGS Special Publication 117
Rationale: SP 117 provides guidance on seismic hazards including fault zones and
liquefaction potential.
Q7. Which of the following laws requires geologists to report findings of active faults
to the State Geologist?
, Answer: Alquist-Priolo Act
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Act requires that findings of active faults be reported to the
State Geologist.
Q8. The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act primarily regulates:
Answer: Construction of new buildings across active fault traces
Rationale: The Act prohibits most new development for human occupancy directly on the
surface trace of active faults and requires fault studies before construction.
Q9. Which fault is the longest and most hazardous strike-slip fault in California?
Answer: San Andreas Fault
Rationale: The San Andreas Fault extends over 800 miles and is the primary plate
boundary between the Pacific and North American plates, capable of M7.8+ earthquakes.
Q10. Under the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act, which hazards must be evaluated by
the State Geologist?
Answer: Liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides
Rationale: While Alquist-Priolo covers fault rupture, the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
focuses on liquefaction and seismically induced slope failures.
Q11. In California, a "certified engineering geologist" (CEG) is regulated by:
Answer: Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG)
Rationale: BPELSG issues the CEG certification under Title 16, CCR.
Q12. Which California fault is known for "creep" (aseismic slip) and causes damage
to structures over time?
Answer: Hayward Fault
2026: 150 Practice Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales – BPELSG Licensing Prep | LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR
Exam Overview:
The California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG) exam, administered by the Board for
Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG), evaluates competency
in applying geologic principles to engineering practice. The test plan covers Project
Planning (18%), Data Collection (28%), Interpretation and Reporting (40%), and
Construction (14%). CEG certification requires a current Professional Geologist license,
additional years of qualifying engineering geologic experience under supervision, and
passage of the state-specific exam.
SECTION 1: PROJECT PLANNING (18%) – Questions 1-30
Q1. During a site investigation in California, you encounter a fault trace that offsets
Holocene alluvium. What is the most likely classification of this fault under the
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
Answer: Active fault
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Act defines an active fault as one that has shown
displacement in the last 11,700 years (Holocene time). Since Holocene alluvium is
displaced, the fault is classified as active.
Q2. Which geologic hazard is most directly addressed by the Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
Answer: Surface fault rupture
,Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Act focuses specifically on mitigating the hazard of surface
fault rupture near active faults, restricting construction for human occupancy on active fault
traces.
Q3. Under California law, who can sign a geologic hazard report for a subdivision
within an Alquist-Priolo Zone?
Answer: A California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
Rationale: BPELSG requires that fault hazard investigations in Alquist-Priolo Zones be
conducted and signed by a CEG.
Q4. According to CGS Special Publication 117A, what is the lowest acceptable Factor
of Safety in a liquefaction analysis?
Answer: 1.1
Rationale: CGS Special Publication 117A specifies a minimum Factor of Safety of 1.1 for
liquefaction analysis. A value below 1.1 is considered unacceptable.
Q5. What is the minimum width of an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone?
Answer: 500 feet
Rationale: Alquist-Priolo zones are typically 500 feet wide (approximately 250 feet on each
side of the active fault trace), but can be larger if more detailed mapping is available.
Q6. Which document is most useful for preliminary seismic hazard assessment in
California?
Answer: CGS Special Publication 117
Rationale: SP 117 provides guidance on seismic hazards including fault zones and
liquefaction potential.
Q7. Which of the following laws requires geologists to report findings of active faults
to the State Geologist?
, Answer: Alquist-Priolo Act
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Act requires that findings of active faults be reported to the
State Geologist.
Q8. The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act primarily regulates:
Answer: Construction of new buildings across active fault traces
Rationale: The Act prohibits most new development for human occupancy directly on the
surface trace of active faults and requires fault studies before construction.
Q9. Which fault is the longest and most hazardous strike-slip fault in California?
Answer: San Andreas Fault
Rationale: The San Andreas Fault extends over 800 miles and is the primary plate
boundary between the Pacific and North American plates, capable of M7.8+ earthquakes.
Q10. Under the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act, which hazards must be evaluated by
the State Geologist?
Answer: Liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides
Rationale: While Alquist-Priolo covers fault rupture, the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
focuses on liquefaction and seismically induced slope failures.
Q11. In California, a "certified engineering geologist" (CEG) is regulated by:
Answer: Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG)
Rationale: BPELSG issues the CEG certification under Title 16, CCR.
Q12. Which California fault is known for "creep" (aseismic slip) and causes damage
to structures over time?
Answer: Hayward Fault
