Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for operating a wireless device pursuant to radio frequency (RF) exposure compliance. A method that may be performed by a wireless device includes switching sensing circuitry to a first mode in response to one or more first criteria being satisfied; switching the sensing circuitry to a second mode in response to one or more second criteria being satisfied; and transmitting a signal at a transmit power determined based at least in part on a radio frequency (RF) exposure limit, and if the sensing circuitry is operating in the second mode, on one or more measurements associated with the sensing circuitry.