A method and apparatus is provided for simultaneously accessing a broadcast channel which allows for maintaining registration on the broadcast channel and a second channel. The broadcast channel includes a reverse link access channel for a portable communication device (120) to send registration messages to a base station and the method initially includes the step of determining whether a predetermined event requiring registration of the portable communication device on the broadcast channel has been detected (302, 304, 306). After detecting the predetermined event, it is determined whether the portable communication device is communicating on the second channel (308). If not communicating on the second channel (308), registration on the broadcast channel is accomplished by transmitting a registration message on the reverse link access channel (320). If communicating on the second channel (308), the registration message is transmitted on the broadcast channel asynchronously (340) or, if supported by the base station (110), as a databurst of a packet of information on the second channel (330).