The present invention employs a method for coordinating communication of protocol processes within Access Terminals in order for the Access Terminals to successfully and efficiently communicate with the protocol processes within an Access Network. The method of the present invention can be used in conjunction with the current IS-856 standard. After receiving an indication of required configuration from one or more of the answering protocol processes, the SCP issues a configuration command to all of the answering protocol processes in the AT. If the answering protocol process determines that it needs to reconfigure any of its parameters, it accepts the configuration command and notifies the SCP that it has accepted the configuration command. Alternatively, if the answering protocol process determines that it does not need to reconfigure any of its parameters, it rejects the configuration command and notifies the SCP that it has rejected its configuration command. Communication between the Access Terminal and the Access Network then resumes.