Provided are a smart card service method and an apparatus for performing the same. The smart card service method includes receiving a certificate generation request from a terminal, transmitting the certificate generation request to an authentication processing device, and storing credential information with respect to the generated certificate in a virtual machine associated with the terminal in response to a certificate generation success message provided from the authentication processing device. Thus, it is possible to reduce costs in accordance with manufacturing smart card hardware, and support smart card services in a more enhanced security environment.