Can I mix and match courses from other local community colleges and be assured a match?

Transferring to a UC from a California community college (CCC) has a lot of hidden pitfalls. Here’s a question I was asked a while back:

Can a CCC student choose to take the same course at a different CCC within the same district and be assured the same UC credit?  The answer varies.  Sometimes it’s yes, sometimes it’s no. You need to look at the fine print within the CCC course description to see if the course will fulfill the same requirements as noted at the other CCC.

Confusingly, a CCC course that may have the same course number and description might not be an actual match with a seemingly matching course, even at college within the same district.  Be especially wary when it comes to IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum). What looks like the same course may fulfill IGETC at one CCC, but not fulfill IGETC at the other. 

Never go on your instincts. Always verify with a CCC advisor before you sign up.