Abstract: A system and method for pre-authentication across wireless local area networks (WLANs). A first access point (AP) receives next handoff authentication information from a mobile device during authentication of the mobile device with the first access point. An authentication server receives the next handoff authentication information, acquires an authentication seed value and calculates a first authentication value using the authentication seed value during a data communication session between the mobile device and the first AP. A second AP receives the first authentication value and the authentication seed value during the data communication session. The second AP receives a connection request message and transmits the authentication seed value to the mobile device when the mobile device hands off the data communication session from the first AP to the second AP. The second AP authenticates the mobile device if a second authentication value from the mobile device corresponds to the first authentication value.