CERTIFIED ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST (CEG)
EXAMINATION
BASED ON BPELSG TEST PLAN EFFECTIVE
JANUARY 2025
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
SECTION 1: PROJECT PLANNING (Questions 1–18)
Question 1: During a site reconnaissance for a proposed residential development in California,
you observe a linear topographic scarp cutting across Holocene alluvial deposits. What is the
most likely classification of this feature under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
Answer: Active fault.
Rationale: Under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, a fault is classified as active
if it shows evidence of surface displacement during Holocene time (approximately the last
11,700 years). Evidence of offset in Holocene alluvium is a definitive indicator of an active fault.
Potentially active faults show displacement during the Quaternary (last 1.6 million years) but
not during Holocene, and inactive faults show no evidence of Quaternary displacement.
,Question 2: A geologist is preparing a scope of work for an engineering geologic investigation
at a proposed school site. Which California regulation is most directly applicable to this
investigation?
Answer: California Geological Survey (CGS) Note 48 and the California Field Act.
Rationale: CGS Note 48 provides guidelines for investigating and siting schools, hospitals, and
essential services buildings. The California Field Act establishes standards for the design and
construction of public school buildings. Both are critical references when planning
investigations for school sites. The Alquist-Priolo Act addresses fault rupture hazards, and the
Seismic Hazards Mapping Act addresses liquefaction and landslide hazards.
Question 3: A geologist is reviewing preliminary grading plans for a project. Which of the
following should be evaluated to identify potential impacts from geologic hazards?
Answer: The relationship between proposed cut and fill slopes and existing geologic structure
(e.g., bedding, foliation, joint orientations).
Rationale: Grading plans must be reviewed to identify potential slope stability issues. The
orientation of geologic structures relative to proposed slopes is critical for identifying potential
failure planes. If bedding or foliation dips out of a cut slope, it may create a daylighting
condition that could lead to slope failure. Drainage patterns, while important, are secondary
considerations.
,Question 4: A project site is located in an area underlain by Franciscan Complex melange.
Which of the following is the most significant concern for engineering geologic investigation
planning?
Answer: High variability in material properties and the presence of sheared, clay-rich gouge
zones.
Rationale: The Franciscan Complex is characterized by highly heterogeneous, sheared, and
tectonically disrupted rocks. Melange units contain blocks of various rock types within a sheared
matrix, often with clay-rich gouge zones that have very low shear strength. This variability
creates significant challenges for characterizing engineering properties and foundation design.
Question 5: During the preliminary review of available data for a project, you identify an
abandoned mine adit on the site from historical maps. This finding should be:
Answer: Documented in the conceptual site model and used to plan additional subsurface
investigation to determine the extent and stability of the mine workings.
Rationale: Abandoned mines present significant hazards, including subsidence, collapse, and the
presence of unstable ground. The identification of such features requires careful documentation
and additional investigation to assess their potential impact on the proposed development.
Ignoring the feature or assuming it is stable without investigation is not appropriate.
, Question 6: A geologist is reviewing regional and site-specific geologic conditions using remote
sensing data. Which of the following remote sensing techniques is most useful for detecting
millimeter- to centimeter-scale ground movement over time?
Answer: Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR).
Rationale: InSAR is a powerful remote sensing technique that can detect surface deformation
with millimeter- to centimeter-scale precision over large areas. It is particularly useful for
identifying subsidence, landslide movement, and fault creep. Aerial imagery and LiDAR provide
high-resolution topographic data but are not typically used for detecting active movement over
time.
Question 7: A geologist is defining the scope of an engineering geologic investigation. Which of
the following factors is most important in determining the appropriate number and depth of
exploratory borings?
Answer: The anticipated geologic conditions, including the depth to bedrock, the presence of
faults, and the variability of subsurface materials.
Rationale: The scope of investigation must be tailored to the specific geologic conditions
anticipated at the site. The number and depth of borings should be sufficient to characterize the
subsurface adequately, identify potential hazards, and provide data for engineering design.
EXAMINATION
BASED ON BPELSG TEST PLAN EFFECTIVE
JANUARY 2025
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
SECTION 1: PROJECT PLANNING (Questions 1–18)
Question 1: During a site reconnaissance for a proposed residential development in California,
you observe a linear topographic scarp cutting across Holocene alluvial deposits. What is the
most likely classification of this feature under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
Answer: Active fault.
Rationale: Under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, a fault is classified as active
if it shows evidence of surface displacement during Holocene time (approximately the last
11,700 years). Evidence of offset in Holocene alluvium is a definitive indicator of an active fault.
Potentially active faults show displacement during the Quaternary (last 1.6 million years) but
not during Holocene, and inactive faults show no evidence of Quaternary displacement.
,Question 2: A geologist is preparing a scope of work for an engineering geologic investigation
at a proposed school site. Which California regulation is most directly applicable to this
investigation?
Answer: California Geological Survey (CGS) Note 48 and the California Field Act.
Rationale: CGS Note 48 provides guidelines for investigating and siting schools, hospitals, and
essential services buildings. The California Field Act establishes standards for the design and
construction of public school buildings. Both are critical references when planning
investigations for school sites. The Alquist-Priolo Act addresses fault rupture hazards, and the
Seismic Hazards Mapping Act addresses liquefaction and landslide hazards.
Question 3: A geologist is reviewing preliminary grading plans for a project. Which of the
following should be evaluated to identify potential impacts from geologic hazards?
Answer: The relationship between proposed cut and fill slopes and existing geologic structure
(e.g., bedding, foliation, joint orientations).
Rationale: Grading plans must be reviewed to identify potential slope stability issues. The
orientation of geologic structures relative to proposed slopes is critical for identifying potential
failure planes. If bedding or foliation dips out of a cut slope, it may create a daylighting
condition that could lead to slope failure. Drainage patterns, while important, are secondary
considerations.
,Question 4: A project site is located in an area underlain by Franciscan Complex melange.
Which of the following is the most significant concern for engineering geologic investigation
planning?
Answer: High variability in material properties and the presence of sheared, clay-rich gouge
zones.
Rationale: The Franciscan Complex is characterized by highly heterogeneous, sheared, and
tectonically disrupted rocks. Melange units contain blocks of various rock types within a sheared
matrix, often with clay-rich gouge zones that have very low shear strength. This variability
creates significant challenges for characterizing engineering properties and foundation design.
Question 5: During the preliminary review of available data for a project, you identify an
abandoned mine adit on the site from historical maps. This finding should be:
Answer: Documented in the conceptual site model and used to plan additional subsurface
investigation to determine the extent and stability of the mine workings.
Rationale: Abandoned mines present significant hazards, including subsidence, collapse, and the
presence of unstable ground. The identification of such features requires careful documentation
and additional investigation to assess their potential impact on the proposed development.
Ignoring the feature or assuming it is stable without investigation is not appropriate.
, Question 6: A geologist is reviewing regional and site-specific geologic conditions using remote
sensing data. Which of the following remote sensing techniques is most useful for detecting
millimeter- to centimeter-scale ground movement over time?
Answer: Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR).
Rationale: InSAR is a powerful remote sensing technique that can detect surface deformation
with millimeter- to centimeter-scale precision over large areas. It is particularly useful for
identifying subsidence, landslide movement, and fault creep. Aerial imagery and LiDAR provide
high-resolution topographic data but are not typically used for detecting active movement over
time.
Question 7: A geologist is defining the scope of an engineering geologic investigation. Which of
the following factors is most important in determining the appropriate number and depth of
exploratory borings?
Answer: The anticipated geologic conditions, including the depth to bedrock, the presence of
faults, and the variability of subsurface materials.
Rationale: The scope of investigation must be tailored to the specific geologic conditions
anticipated at the site. The number and depth of borings should be sufficient to characterize the
subsurface adequately, identify potential hazards, and provide data for engineering design.
