The concept of a service layer message template is introduced, which may be a request template or a response template. Message templates may be created and stored at the service layer. Each message template may contain a set of request or response parameters and their values. Once in place, an application can send a request to the service layer that does not include the request parameters contained in the message template (i.e. request template); instead, a message template identifier may be sent. Since request parameters are included in the message template and stored at the service layer, communication overhead between the service layer and the application (or another service layer) may be reduced.