A method and system for association in a relay network are disclosed; a neighbor Base Station (BS) receives a ranging request from an associated neighbor station and the ranging request is received by the associated neighbor station from an MS; the neighbor BS sends a ranging response to the MS in response to the ranging request; the associated neighbor station is an RS. Association Level 1 is implemented. Another method and system for association in a relay system are disclosed; a neighbor BS receives a ranging report from an associated neighbor station after the associated neighbor station receives a CDMA code from an MS; the neighbor BS sends the ranging report to the MS or to a serving BS by which the ranging report is sent to the MS; the associated neighbor station is an RS. Association Level 2 is implemented.