The company that drug tests for the NCAA has been chosen to handle testing for the University Interscholastic League's new anabolic steroid testing program, the UIL announced Tuesday.

The National Center for Drug Free Sport Inc., based in Kansas City, Mo., was selected to run what will be the nation's largest steroid testing program for the remainder of this school year as well as the 2008-2009 school year.

Testing could begin within the next few weeks. There is no set date for the first round of tests. All testing dates will be unannounced, in keeping with the nature of random tests.

The NCAA has been a client since the company's inception in 1999. It tests more than 13,000 NCAA athletes each year.

The UIL program calls for testing of between 40,000 and 50,000 public school athletes by the end of the next school year.

UIL director of athletics Dr. Charles Breithaupt said Drug Free Sport's past experience, with the NCAA as well as its high school steroid testing in other states, made it the right choice.

Senate Bill 8 was passed by the 80th Texas Legislature and signed into law last June, mandating a two-year, $6 million steroid testing program for Texas high school athletes in grades 9-12.

After legal review and a 21-day period for public comment, the UIL legislative council approved the final protocol, and the commissioner of education gave final approval on Jan. 14.

Staff writers Damon L. Sayles and Keith Whitmire contributed to this report.