Can You Defer an Exam in New Brunswick?
Yes. Every accredited New Brunswick post-secondary institution has a formal process for deferring exams when students experience illness. New Brunswick is unique as a bilingual province — Universite de Moncton operates entirely in French, and MedLetter can provide documentation in both English and French.
This guide covers the exact process at every major NB university and college, including deadlines, required forms, and what your sick note must include.
University of New Brunswick (UNB) Exam Deferral Process
UNB has campuses in Fredericton and Saint John and processes deferrals through the Registrar's Office.
Steps to Defer at UNB:
1. Submit the Request for Deferred Examination to the Registrar's Office within 3 business days
2. Provide medical documentation from a CPSNB-registered physician
3. Receive confirmation via your UNB email
4. Write the deferred exam at the scheduled time
What UNB Requires in Your Sick Note:
- Date of consultation (on or before exam date)
- Confirmation of medical inability to write the exam
- Duration of incapacity
- Physician's name, signature, and CPSNB registration number
- Diagnosis NOT required (protected under PHIPAA)
UNB Key Facts:
| Campus | Deadline | Submission |
|--------|----------|------------|
| Fredericton | 3 business days | Registrar's Office |
| Saint John | 3 business days | Registrar's Office |
- Both campuses accept documentation from any CPSNB-registered physician
- The Student Health Centre in Fredericton has limited capacity during finals
- No deferral fee
Universite de Moncton (UdeM) Exam Deferral
UdeM is New Brunswick's francophone university with a 48-hour deadline.
Steps to Defer at UdeM:
1. Submit the Demande d'examen differe (Deferred Exam Request) to the Bureau du registraire within 48 hours
2. Provide medical documentation (English or French accepted)
3. Receive confirmation via your UdeM email
4. Write the deferred exam at the scheduled time
UdeM Key Facts:
- 48-hour deadline (tightest in NB)
- Bilingual documentation accepted (English or French)
- Contact: registraire@umoncton.ca
- MedLetter can provide notes in French upon request
Mount Allison University Exam Deferral
Mount Allison is located in Sackville — a very small town with extremely limited healthcare access.
Steps to Defer at Mount Allison:
1. Submit the Deferred Examination Request to the Registrar's Office within 3 business days
2. Provide medical documentation from a licensed physician
3. Receive confirmation via your Mount A email
4. Complete the deferred exam at the scheduled time
The Sackville Challenge:
Mount Allison students face a critical problem: Sackville has virtually no walk-in clinic access. The nearest walk-in clinic is in Moncton — a 45-minute drive. During exam season, this means Mount A students who get sick on exam day have essentially no local option for medical documentation.
This makes online medical services not just convenient but essential for Mount Allison students.
St. Thomas University (STU) Exam Deferral
STU is located in Fredericton (shares the area with UNB) with a 48-hour deadline.
Steps to Defer at STU:
1. Submit the Request for Deferred Final Examination to the Registrar's Office within 48 hours
2. Provide medical documentation from a licensed physician
3. Receive confirmation via your STU email
4. Write the deferred exam at the scheduled time
STU Key Facts:
- 48-hour deadline
- Shares Fredericton with UNB — similar clinic access challenges
- Any CPSNB-registered physician's note is accepted
- No deferral fee
New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) Exam Deferral
NBCC has 6 campuses across New Brunswick with program-specific processes.
Steps to Defer at NBCC:
1. Contact your program coordinator as soon as possible
2. Submit Missed Assessment Documentation within 2 business days
3. Provide medical documentation from a licensed physician
4. Complete the deferred assessment at the scheduled time
NBCC Key Facts:
- Program-specific processes — contact your coordinator first
- 2 business day deadline (tightest in NB)
- Many campuses are in smaller communities with limited clinic access
- Contact Student Services for guidance
What Makes a Valid Sick Note for New Brunswick Exam Deferrals?
All NB institutions require documentation from a CPSNB-registered physician:
| Required Element | Why It Matters |
|-----------------|----------------|
| Date of consultation | Proves you sought care on/before exam day |
| Statement of incapacity | Confirms you couldn't write the exam |
| Duration of illness | Shows the exam date fell within your illness |
| Physician's full name | Required for verification |
| CPSNB registration number | Proves they're licensed in NB |
| Physician's signature | Legal requirement |
The Healthcare Access Problem in New Brunswick
New Brunswick faces significant primary care challenges:
- Over 70,000 New Brunswickers are on the Patient Connect NB waitlist for a family doctor
- Fredericton walk-in clinics: 1-3 hour waits during exam season
- Sackville (Mount Allison): No walk-in clinic — nearest is 45 min away in Moncton
- After-hours: Very limited options outside Fredericton and Moncton
How MedLetter Solves This for New Brunswick Students
MedLetter connects you with a CPSNB-registered physician for a same-day virtual consultation:
1. Complete the intake form (5 minutes) — describe your symptoms and which exam you missed
2. Physician reviews your case — a licensed NB physician assesses your situation
3. Receive your documentation — delivered to your inbox same-day (English or French)
4. Submit to your university — upload directly to your school's portal
Cost Comparison:
| Option | Cost | Wait Time | Available Exam Day? |
|--------|------|-----------|-------------------|
| Walk-in clinic (Fredericton) | $0 (Medicare) | 1-3 hours | Maybe |
| Sackville clinic | N/A (none available) | N/A | No |
| Campus health | $0 | 2-4 day booking during finals | Unlikely |
| MedLetter | $49 | Same-day delivery | Yes, 24/7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will UNB accept an online sick note?
Yes. UNB accepts medical documentation from any CPSNB-registered physician, including virtual care providers. This applies to both the Fredericton and Saint John campuses.
Can I get documentation in French for Universite de Moncton?
Yes. MedLetter provides bilingual documentation (English and French) that meets UdeM's requirements. Specify your language preference when completing the intake form.
I'm at Mount Allison in Sackville — there are no clinics nearby. What do I do?
This is exactly why MedLetter exists. Sackville has virtually no walk-in clinic access. The nearest option is Moncton (45 min drive). MedLetter provides same-day documentation from a CPSNB-registered physician without requiring travel.
Does the note need to include my diagnosis?
No. Under New Brunswick's Personal Health Information Privacy Act (PHIPAA), your university cannot require a specific diagnosis. A note confirming you were medically unable to attend the exam is sufficient.
Can I use this for midterm deferrals in New Brunswick?
Yes. Midterm deferrals are typically handled at the instructor or department level. Medical documentation supports your request whether it's for a midterm, final exam, or assignment extension.
What if I missed the exam yesterday — can I still get a note?
Yes. MedLetter can issue retroactive medical documentation for recent illness (within 7 days). The note will confirm you were unwell on the exam date.
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Need a same-day sick note for your New Brunswick exam deferral? MedLetter's CPSNB-registered physicians provide documentation that meets all NB university requirements. $49 flat fee, delivered to your inbox same-day. Bilingual service available.
[Get Your Exam Deferral Note →](/exam-deferral-sick-note-new-brunswick)