Apparatus and methods for physical cell identification within one or more wireless networks. In one embodiment, conflicts in PCI values which may exist within two or more mobile networks (e.g., PLMNs) of respective different operators when unlicensed spectrum is utilized (e.g., according to 3GPP 5G NR-U technology) are resolved. In one implementation, this functionality is provided by specifying one or more mobility-related parameters associated with various UE, such that serving gNBs can determine whether a given UE requires a mobility context, and as such whether it should conduct subsequent RF measurement reporting to report back potential conflicts in PCI it may encounter to the gNB. In one variant, the measurement reporting is configured to comply with 5G NR-U required “listen-before-talk” or LBT protocols; i.e., to measure parameters consistent with the LBT protocols to detect any such PCI-based conflicts.