California Certified Engineering Exam With
Correct 100 Questions and Answers
**1. The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act primarily
regulates:**
- A) Seismic retrofitting of existing buildings
- B) Construction of new buildings across active fault traces
- C) Liquefaction hazard mapping for coastal areas
- D) Tsunami evacuation routes
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The Alquist-Priolo Act prohibits most new
development for human occupancy directly on the surface trace of
active faults and requires fault studies before construction .
---
**2. In California, the legal definition of "engineering geology" under
the Professional Engineers Act 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
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** California Business and Professions Code § 7802
defines engineering geology as the application of geologic knowledge
to engineering, including site characterization and hazard assessment
.
---
**3. Which geologic hazard is most directly addressed by the Alquist-
Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?**
- A) Landslides
- B) Liquefaction
- C) Surface fault rupture
- D) Ground subsidence
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The Alquist-Priolo Act focuses specifically on
mitigating the hazard of surface fault rupture near active faults .
---
**4. In California, a "Certified Engineering Geologist" (CEG) is
regulated by:**
,- A) California Geological Survey
- B) Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
- C) California Environmental Protection Agency
- D) Department of Water Resources
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land
Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG) issues the CEG certification under
Title 16, CCR .
---
**5. 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
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land
Surveyors, and Geologists requires that fault hazard investigations in
Alquist-Priolo Zones be conducted and signed by a CEG .
---
, **6. The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act requires investigations in
zones where there is potential for:**
- A) Tsunami inundation only
- B) Liquefaction or earthquake-induced landslides
- C) Volcanic eruption
- D) Coastal erosion
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act requires
investigations in zones where there is potential for liquefaction or
earthquake-induced landslides .
---
**7. According to CEQA, a geologic report is required when:**
- A) A site is over 1 acre
- B) A mineral resource is nearby
- C) There are potential significant geologic impacts
- D) A stream is on the property
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Under CEQA, projects that may result in significant
environmental impacts (including geologic) require environmental
review .
Correct 100 Questions and Answers
**1. The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act primarily
regulates:**
- A) Seismic retrofitting of existing buildings
- B) Construction of new buildings across active fault traces
- C) Liquefaction hazard mapping for coastal areas
- D) Tsunami evacuation routes
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The Alquist-Priolo Act prohibits most new
development for human occupancy directly on the surface trace of
active faults and requires fault studies before construction .
---
**2. In California, the legal definition of "engineering geology" under
the Professional Engineers Act 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
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** California Business and Professions Code § 7802
defines engineering geology as the application of geologic knowledge
to engineering, including site characterization and hazard assessment
.
---
**3. Which geologic hazard is most directly addressed by the Alquist-
Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?**
- A) Landslides
- B) Liquefaction
- C) Surface fault rupture
- D) Ground subsidence
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The Alquist-Priolo Act focuses specifically on
mitigating the hazard of surface fault rupture near active faults .
---
**4. In California, a "Certified Engineering Geologist" (CEG) is
regulated by:**
,- A) California Geological Survey
- B) Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
- C) California Environmental Protection Agency
- D) Department of Water Resources
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land
Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG) issues the CEG certification under
Title 16, CCR .
---
**5. 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
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land
Surveyors, and Geologists requires that fault hazard investigations in
Alquist-Priolo Zones be conducted and signed by a CEG .
---
, **6. The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act requires investigations in
zones where there is potential for:**
- A) Tsunami inundation only
- B) Liquefaction or earthquake-induced landslides
- C) Volcanic eruption
- D) Coastal erosion
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act requires
investigations in zones where there is potential for liquefaction or
earthquake-induced landslides .
---
**7. According to CEQA, a geologic report is required when:**
- A) A site is over 1 acre
- B) A mineral resource is nearby
- C) There are potential significant geologic impacts
- D) A stream is on the property
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Under CEQA, projects that may result in significant
environmental impacts (including geologic) require environmental
review .
