Technical Abstract: Most genetic mapping has either involved examining the offspring of two individuals (linkage mapping) or examining a large collection of unrelated individuals (association mapping). Association mapping provides a new alternative to the more common linkage analysis for the dissection of complex traits. Although adjustments and improvements are continually being made in its application, appropriate use of this new tool allows for several advantages over traditional linkage methods, including higher mapping resolution, broader reference populations and less research time to establish an association. In this review article, we discuss recent advances in candidate-gene association mapping conducted in maize and consider maize genome structure and its implications for association mapping. With such increased awareness and education among the plant community concerning this powerful new research tool, in conjunction with the promise of future maize genome sequence, association mapping will no doubt prove instrumental in identifying and describing the genes and alleles that control complex traits.