Are MedLetter documents legitimate?

Yes. Every letter is reviewed and signed by a physician registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). Our documents include the physician's CPSA registration number, official letterhead, and signature.

How quickly will I receive my letter?

Most letters are delivered within 2-4 hours during business hours. Some complex requests may take up to 24 hours.

What provinces does MedLetter serve?

MedLetter serves patients in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. Our physicians are licensed with the CPSA, CPSBC, and CPSO respectively, providing medical documents to patients within their jurisdictions.

What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter?

An ESA letter is an official document from a licensed physician stating that you have a mental health condition that benefits from the companionship of an emotional support animal. This letter can be used for housing accommodation requests.

How much does a sick note cost?

A sick note from MedLetter costs $49 CAD. This is a one-time flat fee with no hidden costs.

How Long Can You Be Off Sick Without a Doctor's Note in BC?

BC's ESA provides 5 paid sick days without requiring a note, but your employer's policy may differ. Here's the complete breakdown.

## How Long Can You Be Off Sick Without a Doctor's Note in BC? Under British Columbia's Employment Standards Act, employees have clear entitlements to sick leave. But the rules around when a doctor's note is required can be confusing. ### The Legal Minimum: 5 Paid Days, No Note Required The BC ESA provides: - **5 paid sick days** per year — employers generally cannot require a medical note for these - **3 additional unpaid sick days** — same protection applies - These reset each calendar year ### When Your Employer CAN Require a Note Despite the ESA protections, employers may request medical documentation in these situations: 1. **After your ESA entitlement is used** — Once you've used your 5 paid + 3 unpaid days 2. **Absences longer than 3-5 consecutive days** — Many workplace policies set this threshold 3. **Pattern absences** — Frequent Monday/Friday absences or absences before/after holidays 4. **Return-to-work clearance** — After surgery, injury, or extended illness 5. **WorkSafeBC claims** — Work-related injuries always require documentation 6. **Disability accommodation requests** — Under the BC Human Rights Code ### What Your Employer's Policy Says Many BC employers have their own sick note policies that go beyond the ESA minimum: - **Retail/hospitality**: Often require a note after 2-3 days - **Healthcare**: Usually require a note after 3 days - **Government/union**: Follow collective agreement rules (often 5+ days) - **Tech/office**: Many have unlimited sick days with note required after 5 days ### The Practical Answer | Situation | Note Required? | |-----------|---------------| | 1-5 paid sick days (ESA) | Generally no | | 6-8 days (unpaid ESA) | Generally no | | Beyond ESA entitlement | Likely yes | | 3+ consecutive days (employer policy) | Check your policy | | Return to work after extended absence | Usually yes | ### Get a Sick Note Quickly When You Need One When you do need a sick note in BC, MedLetter delivers physician-reviewed documentation same day. No walk-in clinic wait, no family doctor needed. **[Get your sick note now →](/get-started/sick_note)**