Apparatus and methods are provided to enable a ratcheting of uplink transmit power at an access terminal in a wireless communication network, such that the transmit power is maintained between an upper threshold and a lower threshold. Here, the decision whether to ratchet the power may be based on one or both of the open-loop transmit power and/or the closed-loop transmit power. Moreover, the decision whether to ratchet the transmit power may be based on the power per carrier in a multi-carrier wireless communication network. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.