Techniques are described for wireless communication at a wireless communication device. One method includes determining an availability of a sub-band of a shared radio frequency spectrum band during a first portion of a distributed channel availability check (CAC); receiving at least one indication that the sub-band is available during remaining portions of the distributed CAC; and communicating over the sub-band based at least in part on determining the sub-band is available during the first portion of the distributed CAC and the at least one indication that the sub-band is available during remaining portions of the distributed CAC.