The embodiments provide a method implemented by a network device in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to provide a deferred clear channel assessment (CCA) from a physical layer to an upper layer within the network device. The deferred CCA enables the upper layer to make a final decision on the state of a wireless medium. The method identifies at least one condition on a wireless medium where an upper layer decision is required to determine a state of the wireless medium, and passes on requisite data to the upper layer to enable a decision on the state of the wireless medium. The deferred CCA process supports more complex CCA processes that may rely on information available in an upper layer.