diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index c0823ccc76..b580da07fc 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -207,6 +207,7 @@ test_normal_dist
 test_beta_dist
 test_kde_dist
 test_window
+test_force_bounds
 
 # Directories to NOT IGNORE ... same as executable names
 # as far as I know, these must be listed after the executables
diff --git a/assimilation_code/modules/assimilation/algorithm_info_mod.f90 b/assimilation_code/modules/assimilation/algorithm_info_mod.f90
index 41887d4cad..e7c4a56ddd 100644
--- a/assimilation_code/modules/assimilation/algorithm_info_mod.f90
+++ b/assimilation_code/modules/assimilation/algorithm_info_mod.f90
@@ -217,9 +217,19 @@ subroutine read_qceff_table(qceff_table_filename)
       case ('BOUNDED_NORMAL_RH_DISTRIBUTION')
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%dist_type = BOUNDED_NORMAL_RH_DISTRIBUTION
       case ('GAMMA_DISTRIBUTION')
+         ! Force standard Gamma distribution
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%dist_type = GAMMA_DISTRIBUTION
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%bounded_above = .false.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%bounded_below = .true.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%upper_bound = MISSING_R8
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%lower_bound = 0.0_r8
       case ('BETA_DISTRIBUTION')
+         ! Force standard Beta distribution
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%dist_type = BETA_DISTRIBUTION
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%bounded_above = .true.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%bounded_below = .true.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%upper_bound = 1.0_r8
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%lower_bound = 0.0_r8
       case ('LOG_NORMAL_DISTRIBUTION')
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_inflation%dist_type = LOG_NORMAL_DISTRIBUTION
       case ('UNIFORM_DISTRIBUTION')
@@ -242,9 +252,19 @@ subroutine read_qceff_table(qceff_table_filename)
       case ('BOUNDED_NORMAL_RH_DISTRIBUTION')
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%dist_type = BOUNDED_NORMAL_RH_DISTRIBUTION
       case ('GAMMA_DISTRIBUTION')
+         ! Force standard Gamma distribution
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%dist_type = GAMMA_DISTRIBUTION
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%bounded_above = .false.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%bounded_below = .true.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%upper_bound = MISSING_R8
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%lower_bound = 0.0_r8
       case ('BETA_DISTRIBUTION')
+         ! Force standard Beta distribution
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%dist_type = BETA_DISTRIBUTION
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%bounded_above = .true.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%bounded_below = .true.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%upper_bound = 1.0_r8
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%lower_bound = 0.0_r8
       case ('LOG_NORMAL_DISTRIBUTION')
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_state%dist_type = LOG_NORMAL_DISTRIBUTION
       case ('UNIFORM_DISTRIBUTION')
@@ -266,9 +286,19 @@ subroutine read_qceff_table(qceff_table_filename)
       case ('BOUNDED_NORMAL_RH_DISTRIBUTION')
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%dist_type = BOUNDED_NORMAL_RH_DISTRIBUTION
       case ('GAMMA_DISTRIBUTION')
+         ! Force standard Gamma distribution
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%dist_type = GAMMA_DISTRIBUTION
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%bounded_above = .false.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%bounded_below = .true.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%upper_bound = MISSING_R8
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%lower_bound = 0.0_r8
       case ('BETA_DISTRIBUTION')
+         ! Force standard Beta distribution
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%dist_type = BETA_DISTRIBUTION
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%bounded_above = .true.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%bounded_below = .true.
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%upper_bound = 1.0_r8
+         qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%lower_bound = 0.0_r8
       case ('LOG_NORMAL_DISTRIBUTION')
          qceff_table_data(row)%probit_extended_state%dist_type = LOG_NORMAL_DISTRIBUTION
       case ('UNIFORM_DISTRIBUTION')
diff --git a/developer_tests/qceff/test_force_bounds.f90 b/developer_tests/qceff/test_force_bounds.f90
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7e6dfc72ef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/developer_tests/qceff/test_force_bounds.f90
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+! DART software - Copyright UCAR. This open source software is provided
+! by UCAR, "as is", without charge, subject to all terms of use at
+! http://www.image.ucar.edu/DAReS/DART/DART_download
+
+program test_force_bounds
+
+use algorithm_info_mod, only : init_algorithm_info_mod, end_algorithm_info_mod, probit_dist_info
+use distribution_params_mod,   only : GAMMA_DISTRIBUTION, BETA_DISTRIBUTION, NORMAL_DISTRIBUTION
+use utilities_mod,      only : initialize_utilities, finalize_utilities
+use obs_kind_mod,       only : QTY_AQUIFER_WATER, QTY_AMMONIUM_SULPHATE 
+use types_mod,          only : r8, MISSING_R8
+
+use test
+
+implicit none
+
+logical :: is_state, is_inflation
+logical :: bounded_below, bounded_above
+real(r8) :: lower_bound, upper_bound
+integer :: dist_type
+
+
+call initialize_utilities('test_table_read')
+
+call init_algorithm_info_mod()
+
+! QTY1
+! inflation GAMMA
+call probit_dist_info(QTY_AQUIFER_WATER, .false., .true., dist_type, &
+                        bounded_below, bounded_above, lower_bound, upper_bound)
+
+call ok(dist_type == GAMMA_DISTRIBUTION)
+call ok(bounded_below)
+call ok(.not. bounded_above)
+call ok(lower_bound == 0.0_r8)
+call ok(upper_bound == MISSING_R8)
+
+! state BETA
+call probit_dist_info(QTY_AQUIFER_WATER, .true., .false., dist_type, &
+                        bounded_below, bounded_above, lower_bound, upper_bound)
+
+call ok(dist_type == BETA_DISTRIBUTION)
+call ok(bounded_below)
+call ok(bounded_above)
+call ok(lower_bound == 0.0_r8)
+call ok(upper_bound == 1.0_r8)            
+
+! extended state NORMAL
+call probit_dist_info(QTY_AQUIFER_WATER, .false., .false., dist_type, &
+                        bounded_below, bounded_above, lower_bound, upper_bound)
+
+call ok(dist_type == NORMAL_DISTRIBUTION)
+call ok(.not. bounded_below)
+call ok(.not. bounded_above)
+call ok(lower_bound == MISSING_R8)
+call ok(upper_bound == MISSING_R8)
+
+
+! QTY2
+! inflation BETA
+call probit_dist_info(QTY_AMMONIUM_SULPHATE , .false., .true., dist_type, &
+                        bounded_below, bounded_above, lower_bound, upper_bound)
+
+call ok(dist_type == BETA_DISTRIBUTION)
+call ok(bounded_below)
+call ok(bounded_above)
+call ok(lower_bound == 0.0_r8)
+call ok(upper_bound == 1.0_r8)
+
+! state GAMMA
+call probit_dist_info(QTY_AMMONIUM_SULPHATE , .true., .false., dist_type, &
+                        bounded_below, bounded_above, lower_bound, upper_bound)
+
+call ok(dist_type == GAMMA_DISTRIBUTION)
+call ok(bounded_below)
+call ok(.not. bounded_above)
+call ok(lower_bound == 0.0_r8)
+call ok(upper_bound == MISSING_R8)        
+
+! extended state BETA
+call probit_dist_info(QTY_AMMONIUM_SULPHATE , .false., .false., dist_type, &
+                        bounded_below, bounded_above, lower_bound, upper_bound)
+
+call ok(dist_type == BETA_DISTRIBUTION)
+call ok(bounded_below)
+call ok(bounded_above)
+call ok(lower_bound == 0.0_r8)
+call ok(upper_bound == 1.0_r8)
+
+
+call end_algorithm_info_mod()
+
+call finalize_utilities()
+
+end program test_force_bounds
diff --git a/developer_tests/qceff/work/input.nml b/developer_tests/qceff/work/input.nml
index ffa7155436..d3109c405c 100644
--- a/developer_tests/qceff/work/input.nml
+++ b/developer_tests/qceff/work/input.nml
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+&algorithm_info_nml
+ qceff_table_filename = 'qcf_force_beta_gamma.csv'
+/
+
 &utilities_nml
    TERMLEVEL = 1,
    module_details = .false.
diff --git a/developer_tests/qceff/work/input.nml.no_alg b/developer_tests/qceff/work/input.nml.no_alg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4b8b92d6b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/developer_tests/qceff/work/input.nml.no_alg
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+&utilities_nml
+   TERMLEVEL = 1,
+   module_details = .false.
+   logfilename = 'dart_log.out'  
+   /
+
+# pick a random set of inputs
+&preprocess_nml
+   overwrite_output        = .true.
+   input_obs_qty_mod_file  = '../../../assimilation_code/modules/observations/DEFAULT_obs_kind_mod.F90'
+   output_obs_qty_mod_file = '../../../assimilation_code/modules/observations/obs_kind_mod.f90'
+   input_obs_def_mod_file  = '../../../observations/forward_operators/DEFAULT_obs_def_mod.F90'
+   output_obs_def_mod_file = '../../../observations/forward_operators/obs_def_mod.f90'
+   obs_type_files          = '../../../observations/forward_operators/obs_def_reanalysis_bufr_mod.f90',
+                            '../../../observations/forward_operators/obs_def_radar_mod.f90',
+                            '../../../observations/forward_operators/obs_def_metar_mod.f90',
+                            '../../../observations/forward_operators/obs_def_dew_point_mod.f90',
+                            '../../../observations/forward_operators/obs_def_rel_humidity_mod.f90',
+                            '../../../observations/forward_operators/obs_def_altimeter_mod.f90',
+                            '../../../observations/forward_operators/obs_def_gps_mod.f90',
+                            '../../../observations/forward_operators/obs_def_vortex_mod.f90',
+                            '../../../observations/forward_operators/obs_def_gts_mod.f90',
+                            '../../../observations/forward_operators/obs_def_QuikSCAT_mod.f90'
+   quantity_files         = '../../../assimilation_code/modules/observations/default_quantities_mod.f90',
+   /
+
+&obs_kind_nml
+/
+
+
+
diff --git a/developer_tests/qceff/work/qcf_force_beta_gamma.csv b/developer_tests/qceff/work/qcf_force_beta_gamma.csv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..31528d2db6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/developer_tests/qceff/work/qcf_force_beta_gamma.csv
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+QCEFF table version: 1,obs_error_info,,,,probit_inflation,,,,,probit_state,,,,,probit_extended_state,,,,,obs_inc_info,,,,
+QTY_NAME,bounded_below,bounded_above,lower_bound,upper_bound,dist_type,bounded_below,bounded_above,lower_bound,upper_bound,dist_type,bounded_below,bounded_above,lower_bound,upper_bound,dist_type,bounded_below,bounded_above,lower_bound,upper_bound,filter_kind,bounded_below,bounded_above,lower_bound,upper_bound
+QTY_AQUIFER_WATER,.false.,.false.,-888888,-888888,GAMMA_DISTRIBUTION,.false.,.true.,-888888,1234,BETA_DISTRIBUTION,.false.,.false.,-888888,-888888,NORMAL_DISTRIBUTION,.false.,.false.,-888888,-888888,EAKF,.false.,.false.,-888888,-888888
+QTY_AMMONIUM_SULPHATE ,.false.,.false.,-888888,-888888,BETA_DISTRIBUTION,.false.,.true.,-888888,-145.6,GAMMA_DISTRIBUTION,.false.,.false.,45,44,BETA_DISTRIBUTION,.false.,.false.,-888888,-888888,EAKF,.false.,.false.,-888888,-888888
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/developer_tests/qceff/work/quickbuild.sh b/developer_tests/qceff/work/quickbuild.sh
index 81b1308494..24b053a36f 100755
--- a/developer_tests/qceff/work/quickbuild.sh
+++ b/developer_tests/qceff/work/quickbuild.sh
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ LOCATION="threed_sphere"
 
 serial_programs=(
 test_table_read
+test_force_bounds
 )
 
 # quickbuild arguments
diff --git a/developer_tests/qceff/work/runall.sh b/developer_tests/qceff/work/runall.sh
index 72597f775b..87cffcb0f5 100755
--- a/developer_tests/qceff/work/runall.sh
+++ b/developer_tests/qceff/work/runall.sh
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ else
 fi
 }
 
+cp input.nml input.nml.bak
+cp input.nml.no_alg input.nml
+
 run_test ; should_pass "no table"
 
 run_test qcf_table.txt ; should_pass "correct v1 table"
@@ -69,3 +72,4 @@ run_test all_bnrhf_qceff_table.csv ; should_pass "lower case QTY"
 
 run_test qcf_table_lower_case_dist.txt; should_pass "lower case dist_type"
 
+cp input.nml.bak input.nml