The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for associating a station (STA) with an access point (AP). The method for associating a first AP with an STA in a wireless LAN includes the steps of: a first AP receiving an association request frame from the STA; the first AP requesting authentication information on the STA from a second AP with which the STA was previously associated; the first AP receiving authentication information on the STA from the second AP, wherein the first and second AP's are linked by a distribution system, the association request frame includes identification information on the second AP, and the authentication information on the STA can include at least one of a paired main key (PMK) and a recertification main session key (rMSK). Accordingly, fast association between the STA and the AP can be achieved by a simplified authentication procedure without repeating a full authentication procedure.