(Spheres of Power): Permanent Alteration and Alternate Form

[Jack_Simth]

I was looking at Permanent Transformation (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/alteration#toc64), specifically the line:
"...any caster attempting to apply a new shapeshift to the target (except the original caster himself) must succeed at a magic skill check as usual..."

Would this also apply to uses of Alternate Form? E.g., if I use Permanent Transformation on an allied Kitsune to turn them Permanently into some combat monster, does the Kitsune need to make a magic skill check to turn into an unmodified human via their Alternate Form?

[SangoProduction]

I was looking at Permanent Transformation (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/alteration#toc64), specifically the line:
"...any caster attempting to apply a new shapeshift to the target (except the original caster himself) must succeed at a magic skill check as usual..."

Would this also apply to uses of Alternate Form? E.g., if I use Permanent Transformation on an allied Kitsune to turn them Permanently into some combat monster, does the Kitsune need to make a magic skill check to turn into an unmodified human via their Alternate Form?

There are two readings: The broad reading, which you give, or the narrow reading that notices that Shapeshift is the specific name of the Alteration sphere ability.
Given the broad reading, I would treat the target's total level as their caster level, for innate capabilities like that. But, as usual, it's down to DM interpretation.