Sperm Donor Criteria 2025: Complete Checklist & Standards
Complete sperm donor criteria checklist: Age 18-39, height 5'8"+, college education, excellent health, high sperm count. Only 1-5% meet all criteria. See if you qualify.
Essential Sperm Donor Criteria - Quick Checklist
Physical Criteria
Age: 18-39 years old
Most banks prefer 21-35
Height: Minimum 5'8" (173cm)
Premium banks require 5'9"+
BMI: Under 30
Healthy weight for height
Overall Good Health
No chronic conditions
Non-smoker
At least 12 months smoke-free
No tattoos/piercings (recent)
Must be 12+ months old
Medical & Lifestyle Criteria
Sperm Count: 60+ million/ml
Minimum 20 million/ml required
Motility: 50%+ progressive
Good post-thaw viability
No genetic disorders
3 generations family history
STI/STD negative
Full screening required
No drug use
Including marijuana
College education
Enrolled or graduated
Detailed Sperm Donor Criteria
1. Age Criteria
Required: 18-39 years old
Ideal: 21-28 years old
Why: Sperm quality peaks in early-to-mid 20s. Older donors have higher DNA fragmentation rates. Most banks prefer younger donors for optimal outcomes and longer donation potential.
2. Height Criteria
Minimum: 5'8" (173cm)
Preferred: 5'10" (178cm) or taller
Premium banks: 5'9" minimum
Why: Recipient preferences strongly favor taller donors. Height correlates with selection rates and willingness-to-pay. Banks rarely make exceptions even for highly qualified shorter candidates.
3. Education Criteria
Minimum: Currently enrolled in 4-year college
Preferred: Bachelor's degree completed
Premium: Advanced degree (Masters, PhD, MD, JD)
Elite: Ivy League or Top 20 university
Why: Education level is the #1 selection factor after physical health. Intended parents pay premium for educated donors. GPA 3.5+ and high test scores increase acceptance chances.
4. Sperm Quality Criteria
Minimum sperm count: 20 million/ml (WHO standard)
Preferred count: 60+ million/ml
Motility: 50%+ progressive movement
Morphology: 4%+ normal forms
Post-thaw survival: 50%+ viability
Why: This is the #1 reason for rejection (60% of applicants). Your sperm must survive freezing/thawing and produce multiple vials per donation to be economically viable for banks.
5. Health Criteria
Must be free from:
- Genetic disorders (cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, Tay-Sachs, etc.)
- Chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune)
- Mental health conditions (bipolar, schizophrenia, severe depression)
- Cancer history (personal or immediate family)
- STIs/STDs (current or history)
Comprehensive genetic screening tests for 300+ conditions. Family medical history reviewed for 3 generations.
Lifestyle & Commitment Criteria
6. Smoking/Vaping Criteria
Required: Non-smoker for 12+ months
Includes: Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping, marijuana
Why: Smoking significantly reduces sperm quality and DNA integrity. Even vaping and marijuana negatively impact fertility parameters.
7. Alcohol/Drug Criteria
Alcohol: Limited to 1-2 drinks/day maximum
Drugs: No recreational drug use (including marijuana)
Prescriptions: Limited ongoing medications acceptable
Why: Substance use affects sperm production and genetic material. Drug screening performed regularly.
8. Time Commitment Criteria
Frequency: Able to donate 1-3x per week
Duration: 6-12 month commitment
Abstinence: 2-3 days before each donation
Appointments: 30-45 minutes per visit
Why: Banks need consistent, reliable donors. Inconsistent donations affect recipient cycles and bank operations.
9. Location Criteria
Required: Live within 30-60 minutes of sperm bank
Stability: Not planning to move during commitment
Why: Regular in-person visits required. Fresh samples must be processed within 1 hour of collection.
10. Psychological Criteria
Required: Pass psychological evaluation
Assessed: Maturity, motivation, understanding of implications
Personality: Stable, responsible, honest
Why: Licensed psychologist evaluates emotional readiness and ensures informed consent. Assesses understanding of potential contact from offspring.
11. Legal Criteria
Required: U.S. citizen or legal resident
Background: No serious criminal history
Identity: Must pass background check
Why: Legal protection for all parties. FDA regulations require identity verification.
Common Disqualifying Criteria
Physical Disqualifiers:
- ✗Height under 5'8" (60% of applicants)
- ✗Low sperm count/poor motility (60% of applicants)
- ✗BMI over 30 (obesity)
- ✗Age over 39 or under 18
- ✗Current smoker/vaper (within 12 months)
Medical Disqualifiers:
- ✗Family history of genetic disorders
- ✗Mental health conditions (bipolar, schizophrenia)
- ✗Chronic medical conditions
- ✗STI/STD positive
- ✗Recent tattoos/piercings (within 12 months)
Educational Disqualifiers:
- ✗No college education (most banks)
- ✗Not currently enrolled in college
- ✗Low GPA (under 2.5)
Lifestyle Disqualifiers:
- ✗Current marijuana use
- ✗Cannot commit to schedule
- ✗Live too far from sperm bank
- ✗Active duty military (deployment risk)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main criteria to be a sperm donor?
Main sperm donor criteria: Age 18-39, height 5'8"+, college education, excellent health, high sperm count (60+ million/ml), no genetic disorders, non-smoker, no drug use, and ability to commit to 6-12 month donation schedule. Only 1-5% of applicants meet all criteria.
Can you be a sperm donor if you're short?
Most sperm banks require minimum height of 5'8". Premium banks like California Cryobank require 5'9". Banks rarely make exceptions due to strong recipient preferences for taller donors, even for highly qualified shorter candidates.
Do you need a college degree to be a sperm donor?
Most major sperm banks require you to be currently enrolled in or graduated from a 4-year college. Education is the #1 selection factor after health. Advanced degrees (Masters, PhD, MD, JD) increase acceptance chances and compensation.
What sperm count do you need to donate?
Minimum sperm count is 20 million/ml (WHO standard), but most banks require 60+ million/ml for acceptance. Your sperm must also have 50%+ motility and survive freezing/thawing with 50%+ viability. This is the #1 rejection reason.
Can smokers be sperm donors?
No, all sperm banks require non-smokers. You must be smoke-free for at least 12 months. This includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping, and marijuana. Smoking significantly reduces sperm quality and DNA integrity.
What medical conditions disqualify you from sperm donation?
Disqualifying conditions include: genetic disorders, chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart disease), mental health conditions (bipolar, schizophrenia), cancer history, autoimmune disorders, STIs/STDs, and family history of hereditary diseases. Comprehensive genetic screening tests for 300+ conditions.
Check If You Meet Sperm Donor Criteria
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