A method and an apparatus are disclosed for applying frequency layer convergence (FLC) to connected mode user equipments (UE) having no dedicated channel for a multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) service in a mobile communication system employing a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) scheme. The method and apparatus prevent uplink signaling congestion which may occur when the UEs located in non preferred frequency layers (NPL) of the MBMS service move to a preferred frequency layers (PL) when a MBMS service session starts. If the MBMS service session starts in a situation of applying the FLC, a radio network controller (RNC) notifies the UEs desiring to receive the MBMS service and located in NPLs for the MBMS service of FLC information including a PF value and a timer value, with reference to the number of the NPL UEs joining the MBMS service. The UEs performs a PF test according to the PF and timer values, thereby maintaining the degree of congestion and signal transmission load at appropriate levels.