Since 2016, the Department of Health has regulated blood establishments in the state.  Current statutory authority allows anyone over the age of 18 to donate blood without parental permission, but does not address blood donation requirements for minors.  The Washington State Office of the Attorney General’s website states that minors between the ages of 16 and 17 years old may donate blood with parental permission.

Blood donation through apheresis is the process where blood is collected via a special machine to allow specific blood components to be separated during donation. After the blood is drawn from the donor, the blood is placed into a machine called a cell separator, where the blood is separated into platelets, plasma, or white blood cells.  The remaining blood is then returned to the donor.

Anyone 18 and older can donate blood, including donation through apheresis, without parental permission or authorization.  Anyone between the ages of 16 and 17 may donate blood, including donation through apheresis, in any voluntary and noncompensatory blood program after obtaining parental or legal guardian permission or authorization.