Disclosed is a method, system, and program for implementing priority inheritance in an operating system. A first list includes a boost request to boost a priority of an indicated thread holding a shared resource to an indicated priority. Further included is a second list. The system processes the boost request in the first list to boost the priority of the indicated thread to the indicated priority. After boosting priority, the system removes the processed boost request from the first list and places the processed boost request in the second list.