What should I confirm before taking an online course advertised as credit I can use towards my degree?

The course page says "ACE-recommended: three credits." My friend translated that into "one less class at college." I have nearly paid for it on that understanding.

I'm in the US and plan to begin a degree next term. The online course covers introductory statistics, which appears in my proposed programme. The provider's advertised price is $120. Fitting the work around my current job would be useful if it replaces the college class; it would be a different decision if it only adds an elective or no degree credit.

I haven't sent the course details to the college. I also haven't checked the particular course's entry and dates in the ACE guide. What would a useful confirmation from the college need to say before I enrol? I don't want to finish the course and discover that "recommended" and "accepted for this requirement" were different things all along.