In a fast active scanning wireless network apparatus and method for quick determination of available access points (20), information about a candidate set of available access points (20) is obtained, and a candidate access point is identified from the candidate set. A mobile station (10) then queries the candidate access point with a probe request that designates the candidate access point as a sole responder. The probe request prevents other access points from contending for the medium of communication between the mobile station and the designated sole responder access point by excluding the attempt by other access points (20) to transmit probe responses. The apparatus and method thus increases the probability of a fast and successful probe request from the mobile station and subsequent response from the designated access point (20). The designated access point may also respond with a probe response of high priority, preventing intervention of communication.