California state law requires colleges to identify Zero-Textbook-Cost courses (ZTC's) in their schedules so that students can locate and enroll in these classes more easily.

The State established parameters for what constitutes “zero-textbook-cost”:

• If all assigned textbooks are optional for the section
• If all assigned textbooks are identified as Open Educational Resource (OER) textbooks
• If there is no assigned textbook
• If the assigned textbooks (including course readers) are available online for free (i.e. through library databases) AND students are not required to buy a physical copy.
• If students are not required to pay fees to access courseware or homework.


Other considerations:

Lab materials or required supplies are not considered a textbook cost, so if a course section meets the parameters noted above, but do require a materials fee – then the section WOULD still qualify textbook cost-free per State guidelines.

All course materials used must comply with copyright law and with the Americans with Disabilities Act.