What Does it Take to Become a Sperm Donor?

Becoming a sperm donor can provide a consistent way of earning up to $1,500 per month. But before you apply, it’s important to know that it’s not easy to qualify. In fact, San Diego Sperm Bank (SDSB) accepts only about 5% of the total applicants we receive. But with donor sperm in short supply across the country, SDSB is seeking healthy men between the ages of 18 and 39 to join our program. This article outlines what it takes to become a sperm donor at our clinic.

How to Become a Sperm Donor

First off, the process requires a bit of patience because it involves a comprehensive screening process that may take you two to three weeks to complete. But the process exists to protect you and our clients using donor sperm to start or add to their families. Here’s how the process works.

1. Complete our online questionnaire. Start by filling out our online questionnaire. It includes several dozen questions about your family, medical, and sexual history. It includes questions about your extended family so we can learn whether you have genetic diseases running in your family. For instance, the presence of such diseases as sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis will disqualify you from joining the program. Other questions cover allergies, whether you’ve served in the armed forces, your travel history, whether you have any tattoos, and many other topics.
2. Provide a semen sample. Once you submit your online application, you will need to visit our lab to give a semen sample that will be tested to determine the health of your sperm. Our hours are Monday through Friday between 6:30 am and 4:00 pm. We will notify you of the test results within a few days. This first sample is for testing purposes only and will be destroyed after analysis. Please note you will not be paid for this initial sample.
3. Get a physical. If your semen sample is accepted, you will get a free physical exam at our clinic. This exam also includes blood, urine, and genetic testing to screen for HIV, Hepatitis A and C, and other infectious diseases.

Joining Our Donor Program

After you pass a physical exam and sign a contract, you can begin making regular deposits. Your first semen sample after joining will be frozen for six months to ensure they are healthy. If they are viable after thawing, you will be eligible to be a regular donor. Since many sperm don’t survive the freezing process, passing the initial exams does not guarantee you will qualify as a long-term donor. But if your samples are good after thawing, you will be asked to donate at least once a week.

To make your semen donations, you must come to our clinic. This can’t be done from home. At our clinic, you will be given a private room to deposit your sample into a sterile container, which is then kept frozen with liquid nitrogen. It is later thawed and used by our clients during their artificial insemination attempts.

As part of our program, you will make $100 for each donation. You can then donate up to three times per week, and we hope you’ll donate at least six times per month. You can also earn an extra $500 each time you refer someone who qualifies to be a donor, so you’ll have a chance to earn even more money.

Learn More About Becoming a Sperm Donor

If you’re interested in becoming a sperm donor at SDSB, please start by applying online. You can also contact us at donor@sandiegospermbank.com  or (858) 732-8500 to talk with one of our experts about becoming a donor.