Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmitting an uplink scheduling request in a mobile communication system. A radio resource controlling node sets a priority for scheduling request retransmission, and cyclically notifies the priority in downlink. A terminal does not retransmit a scheduling request when the highest priority included in the scheduling request to be retransmitted is lower than the lowest priority for scheduling request retransmission. Alternatively, the radio resource controlling node sets scheduling request retransmission cycles (timers) according to priorities, and transmits the cycles in the downlink. The terminal does not retransmit a scheduling request before a cycle (timer) corresponding to the highest priority included in the scheduling request expires after the scheduling request is initially transmitted or retransmitted.