California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
Exam – 150 Practice Questions Complete Study
Guide for BPELSG Licensure – 202/2027| Instant
Download Pdf
About the CEG Exam
The California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG) exam is administered by the Board
for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG) . The exam
evaluates competency in applying geologic data and principles to engineering practice to
ensure public health, safety, and welfare .
Section 1: Regulatory Framework & Licensure (Questions 1-20)
1. Which agency is the primary regulatory body for Engineering Geologists in
California?
A) California Geological Survey (CGS)
B) Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG)
C) California Environmental Protection Agency
D) Department of Water Resources
Answer: B
The BPELSG is responsible for issuing and regulating licenses for geologists and
geophysicists in California under Title 16, CCR .
2. Under California law, the legal definition of "engineering geology" includes which
primary activity?
A) Exploration for mineral resources
B) Geologic mapping for land use planning only
C) Application of geologic knowledge to engineering design and practice
D) Teaching geology at an accredited university
,Answer: C
California Business and Professions Code § 7802 defines engineering geology as the
application of geologic knowledge to engineering, including site characterization and hazard
assessment .
3. According to California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 3065, what is the
professional geologist's primary obligation?
A) To ensure the client's project remains under budget
B) To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public
C) To maintain the confidentiality of all geologic data found on a site
D) To promote the interests of the employer above all others
Answer: B
The Board's Code of Professional Standards mandates that the protection of public safety,
health, and welfare is the paramount duty of a licensee .
4. Which California legislative act established the requirement for geologic reports to
identify and mitigate surface fault rupture hazards?
A) The Professional Engineers Act
B) The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act
C) The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
D) The Subdivision Map Act
Answer: B
The Alquist-Priolo Act specifically regulates development near active fault traces to mitigate
surface rupture hazards for human occupancy structures .
5. Under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, what is the minimum width
of a fault rupture hazard zone on each side of an active fault trace?
A) 50 feet
B) 200 feet
C) 500 feet
D) 1,000 feet
Answer: C
Alquist-Priolo zones are typically 500 feet wide (250 feet each side) but can be larger if
more detailed mapping is available .
, 6. Under California law, who can sign a geologic hazard report for a subdivision
within an Alquist-Priolo Zone?
A) Any civil engineer
B) A licensed surveyor
C) A California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
D) A general contractor with experience
Answer: C
The BPELSG requires that fault hazard investigations in Alquist-Priolo Zones be conducted
and signed by a CEG .
7. Which act requires the State Geologist to evaluate liquefaction and earthquake-
induced landslide hazards?
A) Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act
B) Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
C) California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
D) Subdivision Map Act
Answer: B
The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act focuses on liquefaction and seismically induced slope
failures .
8. In California, a fault is considered "active" under the Alquist-Priolo Act if it has
moved within the past:
A) 500 years
B) 11,000 years (Holocene)
C) 1.8 million years (Pleistocene)
D) 50 years
Answer: B
The Act defines active faults as those with displacement in the Holocene Epoch (last
~11,700 years) .
9. Which document is MOST useful for preliminary seismic hazard assessment in
California?
A) A local building permit
B) CGS Special Publication 117
Exam – 150 Practice Questions Complete Study
Guide for BPELSG Licensure – 202/2027| Instant
Download Pdf
About the CEG Exam
The California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG) exam is administered by the Board
for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG) . The exam
evaluates competency in applying geologic data and principles to engineering practice to
ensure public health, safety, and welfare .
Section 1: Regulatory Framework & Licensure (Questions 1-20)
1. Which agency is the primary regulatory body for Engineering Geologists in
California?
A) California Geological Survey (CGS)
B) Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG)
C) California Environmental Protection Agency
D) Department of Water Resources
Answer: B
The BPELSG is responsible for issuing and regulating licenses for geologists and
geophysicists in California under Title 16, CCR .
2. Under California law, the legal definition of "engineering geology" includes which
primary activity?
A) Exploration for mineral resources
B) Geologic mapping for land use planning only
C) Application of geologic knowledge to engineering design and practice
D) Teaching geology at an accredited university
,Answer: C
California Business and Professions Code § 7802 defines engineering geology as the
application of geologic knowledge to engineering, including site characterization and hazard
assessment .
3. According to California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 3065, what is the
professional geologist's primary obligation?
A) To ensure the client's project remains under budget
B) To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public
C) To maintain the confidentiality of all geologic data found on a site
D) To promote the interests of the employer above all others
Answer: B
The Board's Code of Professional Standards mandates that the protection of public safety,
health, and welfare is the paramount duty of a licensee .
4. Which California legislative act established the requirement for geologic reports to
identify and mitigate surface fault rupture hazards?
A) The Professional Engineers Act
B) The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act
C) The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
D) The Subdivision Map Act
Answer: B
The Alquist-Priolo Act specifically regulates development near active fault traces to mitigate
surface rupture hazards for human occupancy structures .
5. Under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, what is the minimum width
of a fault rupture hazard zone on each side of an active fault trace?
A) 50 feet
B) 200 feet
C) 500 feet
D) 1,000 feet
Answer: C
Alquist-Priolo zones are typically 500 feet wide (250 feet each side) but can be larger if
more detailed mapping is available .
, 6. Under California law, who can sign a geologic hazard report for a subdivision
within an Alquist-Priolo Zone?
A) Any civil engineer
B) A licensed surveyor
C) A California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
D) A general contractor with experience
Answer: C
The BPELSG requires that fault hazard investigations in Alquist-Priolo Zones be conducted
and signed by a CEG .
7. Which act requires the State Geologist to evaluate liquefaction and earthquake-
induced landslide hazards?
A) Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act
B) Seismic Hazards Mapping Act
C) California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
D) Subdivision Map Act
Answer: B
The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act focuses on liquefaction and seismically induced slope
failures .
8. In California, a fault is considered "active" under the Alquist-Priolo Act if it has
moved within the past:
A) 500 years
B) 11,000 years (Holocene)
C) 1.8 million years (Pleistocene)
D) 50 years
Answer: B
The Act defines active faults as those with displacement in the Holocene Epoch (last
~11,700 years) .
9. Which document is MOST useful for preliminary seismic hazard assessment in
California?
A) A local building permit
B) CGS Special Publication 117
