Methods, systems, and devices are described for signaling protocols for proximity service functions in a wireless communication system. A first wireless device may identify a wireless relay requirement associated with the first wireless device. A proximity service protocol may be initiated between the first wireless device and a second wireless device based at least in part on the identified wireless relay requirement. The proximity service protocol may be initiated prior to an initiation of a communication data exchange between the first wireless device and the second wireless device. A relay link may be established, via the ProSe protocol, between the first wireless device and the second wireless device based at least in part on the identified wireless relay requirement.