Holland College Sick Note & Exam Deferral Guide (2026) — What You Actually Need

Holland College requires medical documentation for exam deferrals and extended absences. Here's exactly what you need, which forms to fill out, and how to get a sick note without a family doctor.

Holland College Sick Note & Exam Deferral Guide

Holland College — PEI's public community college with campuses in Charlottetown, Summerside, and Georgetown — serves over 3,000 full-time students across 65+ programs. If you're sick during exams or need time off for medical reasons, here's exactly what documentation you need and how to get it.

Holland College's Medical Documentation Policy

Holland College's academic regulations require medical documentation in these situations:

Missed Exams (Deferred Exam Request):

  • Must submit a Medical Certificate within 3 business days of the missed exam

  • The note must cover the date of the missed exam

  • Submit to your Program Coordinator or the Registrar's Office

  • A deferred exam will be scheduled (usually within 2 weeks)


Extended Absences (5+ consecutive class days):
  • Medical documentation required to maintain enrollment

  • Submit to your Program Coordinator

  • May trigger a meeting to discuss academic accommodations


Assignment Extensions:
  • Individual instructors may accept medical notes for late assignments

  • Check your course syllabus — policies vary by program

  • Generally more flexible than exam deferrals


What Holland College Accepts as Valid Documentation

Holland College accepts medical documentation from:

  • Physicians (MD) — including virtual/telehealth physicians

  • Nurse Practitioners (NP)

  • Psychologists (for mental health-related absences)

  • Other regulated health professionals (aligned with new PEI ESA)


The note must include:
1. The health professional's name, credentials, and contact information
2. Confirmation that you were seen/assessed
3. The date(s) you were unable to attend classes/exams
4. A recommendation for time off (without disclosing your diagnosis)

Important: Holland College does not require your diagnosis to be disclosed. The note simply needs to confirm you had a legitimate medical reason for absence.

Campus-Specific Information

Charlottetown Campus (Prince of Wales):

  • Registrar's Office: Main building, ground floor

  • Student Services: Available for support and accommodation referrals

  • Nearest walk-in clinic: Polyclinic (15-min walk) — typical wait: 2-4 hours


Summerside Campus (Waterfront):
  • Program Coordinator handles all medical documentation

  • Nearest walk-in clinic: Prince County Hospital outpatient — typical wait: 3-5 hours

  • Limited walk-in options in Summerside


Georgetown Campus (Marine Centre):
  • Smallest campus — submit documentation to your instructor or program lead

  • No walk-in clinic in Georgetown — nearest is Montague (20 min) or Charlottetown (55 min)


The Holland College Student Healthcare Challenge

Here's the reality for Holland College students on PEI:

  • Many students are from off-Island and don't have a PEI family doctor

  • International students (growing population) rarely have established healthcare

  • Charlottetown's walk-in clinics have 2-5 hour waits during cold/flu season

  • Georgetown campus students have virtually no local healthcare access

  • Exam periods (December, April) coincide with peak cold/flu season = longest waits


Programs with Strict Attendance Requirements

Some Holland College programs have mandatory attendance policies where medical documentation is especially critical:

  • Nursing (Practical Nursing, RCW): Clinical placements require documentation for any absence

  • Trades programs (Electrical, Plumbing, Welding): Apprenticeship hours are tracked — missed hours must be made up

  • Culinary Arts: Kitchen labs can't be replicated — medical notes needed for missed practical sessions

  • Police Sciences: Physical fitness components require medical clearance to defer

  • Paramedicine: Clinical rotations have zero-tolerance absence policies


How to Get a Sick Note for Holland College Without a Family Doctor

Option 1: Walk-In Clinic

  • Charlottetown Polyclinic or After-Hours Clinic

  • Wait time: 2-5 hours (longer during exam season)

  • Cost: Free with PEI Health Card

  • Drawback: Half a day lost when you're already behind on studying


Option 2: Virtual Care (MedLetter)
  • Submit your request online in 2 minutes

  • Physician reviews and issues documentation same day (1-4 hours)

  • $49 flat fee

  • Delivered to your email — submit directly to Registrar's Office

  • No waiting room, no travel (especially valuable for Georgetown students)

  • Available evenings and weekends when clinics are closed


Option 3: 811 Telehealth (Limited)
  • PEI's 811 service provides health advice but cannot issue sick notes

  • Useful for determining if you need to see a doctor, but won't help with documentation


Exam Deferral Step-by-Step Process

1. Miss the exam (don't attend if you're genuinely ill — attending sick and performing poorly is worse)
2. Get documentation within 3 business days (same day if using MedLetter)
3. Email your Program Coordinator explaining the situation and attaching your medical note
4. Submit the Deferred Exam Request form (available on Holland College's student portal)
5. Receive confirmation of your deferred exam date (usually 1-2 weeks later)
6. Write the deferred exam — same weight as the original

Key Takeaway

Holland College accepts medical documentation from any regulated health professional — including virtual physicians. You don't need to spend 4 hours at a walk-in clinic during exam season. Get your documentation same-day, submit it to your Program Coordinator, and focus on recovering and studying for your deferred exam.

$49 | Same-day delivery | Accepted by all Holland College campuses

Related: [PEI Sick Leave Rights](/blog/pei-sick-leave-rights-employment-standards-2026) | [Can Employer Require Sick Note PEI](/blog/can-employer-require-sick-note-pei) | [Sick Note Cost PEI 2026](/blog/sick-note-cost-pei-2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a sick note online in Canada?
Yes. Licensed Canadian physicians can assess patients through virtual consultations and issue legally valid sick notes accepted by employers across all provinces.

How much does an online sick note cost?
MedLetter charges a flat $49 for a sick note with same-day delivery. No hidden fees, no clinic wait times.

Will my employer accept an online sick note?
Yes. All Canadian provincial medical colleges recognize virtual care. Online sick notes are legally equivalent to in-person notes.

How long does it take to get a sick note from MedLetter?
Most sick notes are delivered within 2-6 hours of submission. Same-day delivery is standard.