California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
Exam Practice Test Questions with Answers &
Rationales | 2026 Edition | Verified Content
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Question 1:
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
Rationale: BPELSG is responsible for issuing and regulating licenses in California
for geologists, engineering geologists, and geophysicists.
Question 2:
Which of the following geologic hazards is most directly addressed in the Alquist-
Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
a. Landslides
b. Surface fault rupture
c. Liquefaction
d. Tsunamis
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act specifically addresses
surface fault rupture hazards by prohibiting the construction of structures for
human occupancy across active faults.
Question 3:
Under California law, who is authorized to sign a geologic hazard report for a
subdivision?
,a. Any licensed Professional Geologist
b. A registered Civil Engineer
c. A California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
d. A California Registered Environmental Assessor
Rationale: The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and
Geologists requires that geologic hazard reports for subdivisions be signed by a
California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG).
Question 4:
According to CGS Special Publication 117A, what is the lowest acceptable Factor
of Safety in a liquefaction analysis?
a. 1.0
b. 1.1
c. 1.3
d. 1.5
Rationale: According to the California Geological Survey's Guidelines for
Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California (SP 117A), the lowest
acceptable factor of safety in a liquefaction analysis is 1.3.
Question 5:
What is the official definition of "Engineering Geology" as stated in Title 16, CCR
3003?
a. The study of earth materials and their formation
b. The application of geologic data, principles, and interpretation so that
geologic factors and processes affecting planning, design, construction,
maintenance, and vulnerability of civil engineering works are properly
recognized and utilized
c. The mapping and characterization of geologic formations
d. The assessment of natural resources for economic development
Rationale: Title 16, CCR 3003 defines engineering geology as the application of
geologic data, principles, and interpretation to ensure that geologic factors and
processes affecting civil engineering works are properly recognized and utilized.
,Question 6:
The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act primarily addresses which types of hazards?
a. Liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides
b. Surface fault rupture only
c. Tsunamis and seiches
d. Volcanic hazards
Rationale: The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act focuses on mapping areas
susceptible to liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides, complementing the
Alquist-Priolo Act which addresses surface fault rupture.
Question 7:
Which California regulation contains the California Building Code provisions
related to soils, foundations, structures, and grading?
a. Title 16, CCR
b. Title 24, CCR
c. Title 22, CCR
d. Title 8, CCR
Rationale: The California Building Code is contained in Title 24 of the California
Code of Regulations, which includes provisions for soils, foundations, structures,
and grading with respect to engineering geology.
Question 8:
According to the CEG Test Plan effective January 2025, what percentage of the
exam focuses on Interpretation and Reporting?
a. 18%
b. 28%
c. 40%
d. 14%
Rationale: The CEG examination is structured into four primary content areas:
Project Planning (18%), Data Collection (28%), Interpretation and Reporting
(40%), and Construction (14%).
, Question 9:
Which California Geological Survey publication provides guidelines for evaluating
and mitigating seismic hazards?
a. Special Publication 42
b. Special Publication 117A
c. Special Publication 124
d. Bulletin 74
Rationale: CGS Special Publication 117A (2008) provides the "Guidelines for
Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California."
Question 10:
Which California law requires the investigation of sites for schools, hospitals, and
essential services buildings?
a. Alquist-Priolo Act
b. Field Act and related legislation
c. Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
d. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Rationale: California has specific guidelines, laws, and regulations for
investigating sites for schools, hospitals, and essential services buildings, ensuring
these critical facilities are sited on geologically safe ground.
Question 11:
What is the role of the California Geological Survey (CGS) in the regulatory
framework?
a. To license engineering geologists
b. To provide technical guidance, mapping, and hazard assessments
c. To enforce building codes
d. To approve subdivision maps
Rationale: CGS provides technical guidance, produces geologic hazard maps, and
conducts research to support hazard assessment and mitigation in California.
Exam Practice Test Questions with Answers &
Rationales | 2026 Edition | Verified Content
Leave your honest rating⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Question 1:
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
Rationale: BPELSG is responsible for issuing and regulating licenses in California
for geologists, engineering geologists, and geophysicists.
Question 2:
Which of the following geologic hazards is most directly addressed in the Alquist-
Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
a. Landslides
b. Surface fault rupture
c. Liquefaction
d. Tsunamis
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act specifically addresses
surface fault rupture hazards by prohibiting the construction of structures for
human occupancy across active faults.
Question 3:
Under California law, who is authorized to sign a geologic hazard report for a
subdivision?
,a. Any licensed Professional Geologist
b. A registered Civil Engineer
c. A California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
d. A California Registered Environmental Assessor
Rationale: The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and
Geologists requires that geologic hazard reports for subdivisions be signed by a
California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG).
Question 4:
According to CGS Special Publication 117A, what is the lowest acceptable Factor
of Safety in a liquefaction analysis?
a. 1.0
b. 1.1
c. 1.3
d. 1.5
Rationale: According to the California Geological Survey's Guidelines for
Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California (SP 117A), the lowest
acceptable factor of safety in a liquefaction analysis is 1.3.
Question 5:
What is the official definition of "Engineering Geology" as stated in Title 16, CCR
3003?
a. The study of earth materials and their formation
b. The application of geologic data, principles, and interpretation so that
geologic factors and processes affecting planning, design, construction,
maintenance, and vulnerability of civil engineering works are properly
recognized and utilized
c. The mapping and characterization of geologic formations
d. The assessment of natural resources for economic development
Rationale: Title 16, CCR 3003 defines engineering geology as the application of
geologic data, principles, and interpretation to ensure that geologic factors and
processes affecting civil engineering works are properly recognized and utilized.
,Question 6:
The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act primarily addresses which types of hazards?
a. Liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides
b. Surface fault rupture only
c. Tsunamis and seiches
d. Volcanic hazards
Rationale: The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act focuses on mapping areas
susceptible to liquefaction and earthquake-induced landslides, complementing the
Alquist-Priolo Act which addresses surface fault rupture.
Question 7:
Which California regulation contains the California Building Code provisions
related to soils, foundations, structures, and grading?
a. Title 16, CCR
b. Title 24, CCR
c. Title 22, CCR
d. Title 8, CCR
Rationale: The California Building Code is contained in Title 24 of the California
Code of Regulations, which includes provisions for soils, foundations, structures,
and grading with respect to engineering geology.
Question 8:
According to the CEG Test Plan effective January 2025, what percentage of the
exam focuses on Interpretation and Reporting?
a. 18%
b. 28%
c. 40%
d. 14%
Rationale: The CEG examination is structured into four primary content areas:
Project Planning (18%), Data Collection (28%), Interpretation and Reporting
(40%), and Construction (14%).
, Question 9:
Which California Geological Survey publication provides guidelines for evaluating
and mitigating seismic hazards?
a. Special Publication 42
b. Special Publication 117A
c. Special Publication 124
d. Bulletin 74
Rationale: CGS Special Publication 117A (2008) provides the "Guidelines for
Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California."
Question 10:
Which California law requires the investigation of sites for schools, hospitals, and
essential services buildings?
a. Alquist-Priolo Act
b. Field Act and related legislation
c. Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
d. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Rationale: California has specific guidelines, laws, and regulations for
investigating sites for schools, hospitals, and essential services buildings, ensuring
these critical facilities are sited on geologically safe ground.
Question 11:
What is the role of the California Geological Survey (CGS) in the regulatory
framework?
a. To license engineering geologists
b. To provide technical guidance, mapping, and hazard assessments
c. To enforce building codes
d. To approve subdivision maps
Rationale: CGS provides technical guidance, produces geologic hazard maps, and
conducts research to support hazard assessment and mitigation in California.
