Administered by: California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and
Geologists (BPELSG)
Regulatory Authority: Business and Professions Code § 7802; Title 16, CCR § 3003
Exam Blueprint (Effective January 2026):
Project Planning: 18%
Data Collection: 28%
Interpretation and Reporting: 40%
Construction: 14%
Eligibility Requirements:
Must be a licensed Professional Geologist in California (BPC § 7842)
3 years under supervision of a CEG or licensed civil engineer, OR 5 years in responsible
charge
3 references from qualified engineering geologists
SECTION 1: ENGINEERING GEOLOGY PRINCIPLES & SITE CHARACTERIZATION
(Questions 1-40)
Question 1
, In California, the legal definition of "engineering geology" under the Professional Engineers
Act includes which primary activity?
Exploration for mineral resources
Geologic mapping for land use planning only
Application of geologic knowledge to engineering design and practice
Teaching geology at an accredited university
Rationale: California Business and Professions Code § 7802 defines engineering geology
as the application of geologic knowledge to engineering, including site characterization and
hazard assessment . Title 16, CCR § 3003 further defines it as the application of geologic
data, principles, and interpretation so that geologic factors affecting planning, design,
construction, maintenance, and vulnerability of civil engineering works are properly
recognized and utilized .
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT a required component of an engineering geology report under
BPELSG regulations?
Description of site geology and geologic structure
Analysis of geologic hazards affecting the project
Detailed structural engineering calculations for foundations
Conclusions and recommendations for site development
Rationale: Structural calculations are the responsibility of the structural engineer. The CEG
provides geologic conditions and hazard analysis, not detailed foundation design. BPELSG
, regulations require geologic characterization, hazard assessment, and recommendations,
but structural calculations fall under the engineer of record .
Question 3
What is the "Rock Quality Designation" (RQD) derived from?
Seismic refraction surveys
Core logging (sum of intact core pieces >4 inches)
Point load testing
Slake durability testing
Rationale: RQD is a standard measure of rock quality obtained from drill core logging,
calculated as the sum of intact core pieces greater than 4 inches (10 cm) in length divided
by the total core run length, expressed as a percentage .
Question 4
Which of the following is an indirect method of subsurface exploration?
Test pits
Cone penetration test (CPT)
Auger boring
Electrical resistivity survey