This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for requesting message repetition in random access procedures. In some aspects, a first random access message can be generated for a physical random access channel (PRACH) procedure. The first random access message can include a request for repetition of a third random access message. The request can be based on a criterion that is associated with at least one of a maximum allowed transmit power, or a PRACH transmit power. The first random access message can be output for transmission to a node to initiate a random access procedure with the node. In some aspects, one or more parameters related to a threshold for determining whether to include the request can be configured by the node.