How to Get a Sick Note for Exam Deferral at Ontario Universities

Last reviewed and updated: August 2026 by a licensed Canadian physician

Missing an exam due to illness at an Ontario university? Here's how to get proper documentation for a deferral.

Updated August 2026, Current Ontario ESA and CPSO telemedicine standards.

To defer an exam due to illness in Canada, you need a sick note from a licensed physician confirming you were medically unable to attend. MedLetter provides same-day documentation for $49 — accepted by all Canadian universities for exam deferrals, assignment extensions, and missed labs.

How to Get a Sick Note for Exam Deferral at Ontario Universities

If you're too sick to write an exam at an Ontario university, you'll need

Step-by-Step: How to Defer Your Exam When Sick



    • Get your sick note immediately — Most universities require documentation within 48 hours to 5 business days of the missed exam. MedLetter delivers same-day for $49.

    • Contact your registrar or professor — Email them ASAP, even before you have the note. Say: "I was ill and unable to attend. Medical documentation to follow."

    • Submit the deferral request — Complete your school's online deferral form and attach the medical documentation.

    • Confirm receipt — Follow up to ensure your request was received and accepted.


What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?


Most universities give you 2-5 business days to submit medical documentation after a missed exam. If you miss this deadline:



    • You may receive a grade of 0 on the exam

    • Some schools allow late submissions with a valid reason — contact your advisor immediately

    • A same-day sick note from MedLetter ensures you never miss the deadline


New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time. to request a deferral. Navigating the academic bureaucracy while dealing with an illness can be incredibly stressful, especially during the high-pressure final exam season. Here's what each major institution requires to ensure your academic standing is protected.

University Requirements

University of Toronto

  • Submit through ACORN (Absence Declaration for short absences)

  • For final exams: petition through your registrar

  • Self-declaration accepted for absences up to 3 days (some faculties)

  • Medical note required for final exam deferrals


Western University
  • Submit through Student Health Services or Academic Counselling

  • Medical documentation required for final exams

  • Must apply within 48 hours of the missed exam


Queen's University
  • Submit to your faculty office

  • Medical note from a licensed physician required

  • Apply within 3 days of the missed exam


McMaster University
  • MSAF (McMaster Student Absence Form) for short absences (no note needed)

  • Medical documentation required for final exams and extended absences


University of Ottawa
  • Submit to your faculty

  • Medical certificate required for final exams

  • Bilingual documentation accepted


What Your Note Must Include

Most Ontario universities require specific details to validate your absence. A generic note often won't suffice. Your documentation must include:
1. Confirmation of a medical condition (not the diagnosis)
2. That you were unable to attend/write on the exam date
3. The physician's name and licence number
4. Date of assessment

How MedLetter Helps Students

MedLetter provides same day sick notes from CPSO-registered physicians, perfect for students who don't have a family doctor or can't get a walk-in appointment before the deadline. Whether you are studying in Toronto, Ottawa, London, or Kitchener, our service ensures you meet your university's strict deadlines without the added stress of waiting in a clinic.

Urgent Situations: When You Need a Note Now

Life doesn't always happen during business hours. Many students and employees find themselves in urgent situations where a sick note is required immediately. Common scenarios include:

  • The Weekend Emergency: You fall ill on a Saturday night before a Monday morning exam, and local walk-in clinics are closed.

  • The Demanding Boss: Your manager at a retail job in Mississauga (Square One, Port Credit, Streetsville, and Erin Mills) or a warehouse in Brampton (Bramalea, Heart Lake, Springdale, and surrounding areas) demands a note by tomorrow morning, despite the new ESA rules.

  • The After-the-Fact Realization: You called in sick without a note, only to realize later that your employer or university requires documentation for that specific absence.


In these high-stress moments, a telemedicine service like MedLetter provides a critical lifeline, offering quick, compliant documentation from CPSO-registered physicians.

Ontario Employment Standards: Your Rights

Under Ontario's Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), employees are entitled to 3 unpaid sick days per year (some employers offer paid days). Important provisions:

  • Employers cannot require a doctor's note for ESA-protected sick days as of January 2024 (Working for Workers Act amendments)

  • The Ontario Human Rights Code requires employers to accommodate medical conditions to the point of undue hardship

  • Federally regulated employees in Ontario get 10 paid sick days under the Canada Labour Code

  • Many Ontario employers (including Shopify, TD Bank, RBC, Amazon, Loblaws, and government agencies) still request notes as a matter of company policy (distinct from legal requirement)


Major Ontario Employers and Sick Leave

Different employers handle sick leave differently. For instance, large corporations like Shopify, TD Bank, and RBC often have comprehensive internal policies that may offer more generous paid sick leave than the ESA minimums. Public sector employers, such as the Ontario Public Service (OPS), TTC, and OPG, typically have union-negotiated contracts that dictate specific documentation requirements. Conversely, workers in Amazon warehouses or smaller retail environments may face stricter, immediate demands for documentation, making understanding your rights under the ESA and the Working for Workers Act crucial.

Statistics: Healthcare Access in Ontario

According to Ontario Health and Statistics Canada (2025-2026):

  • 2.3 million Ontarians lack a regular family doctor or nurse practitioner

  • Average emergency room wait time in Ontario: over 4 hours for non-urgent cases

  • Walk-in clinic wait times in the GTA: 1.5-3 hours on average

  • Ontario has the lowest physician-to-population ratio of any large province


Practical Steps for Ontario Employees

1. Know the ESA - Your your employer faces consequences for penalizing you for taking your 3 statutory sick days
2. Check your employment contract - Many Ontario employers (including Shopify, TD Bank, RBC, Amazon, Loblaws, and government agencies) offer 5-10 paid sick days beyond the ESA minimum
3. Unionized workers - OPSEU, CUPE, and Unifor contracts typically provide 12-18 paid sick days annually
4. Document everything - Keep a record of when you called in and who you spoke to
5. Accommodation requests - If you have a chronic condition, consider requesting formal workplace accommodation under the OHRC

When a Sick Note May Not Be Required

While Ontario law has specific rules, most employers still require documentation. Here's when you need to protect yourself:

  • Your 3 annual ESA sick days (Working for Workers Act, 2024)

  • Family responsibility leave (up to 3 days)

  • Bereavement leave (up to 2 days)

  • Domestic or sexual violence leave


What Employers Need to Know

Canadian employment law balances employer interests with employee privacy:

  • Employers can request confirmation of illness but not specific diagnoses

  • The note should state: dates of absence, that the employee was/is unfit for duties, and expected return date

  • Employers cannot contact the physician directly without employee consent

  • Requiring a note for every single-day absence may constitute harassment in some jurisdictions


Cost Considerations for Employers

  • Walk-in clinic notes cost employees $20-50 and require 2-4 hours away from work

  • Virtual sick notes reduce time away from work to minutes

  • Some employers reimburse sick note costs as a best practice

  • The cost of replacing a sick employee for a day far exceeds the cost of documentation


Comparing Sick Note Options in Ontario

| Option | Average Cost | Time Required | Accessibility | Best For |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Family Doctor | $20-50 (note fee) | Days to weeks for an appointment | Low (2.3M Ontarians lack one) | Routine care, chronic conditions |
| Walk-in Clinic | $20 - $50 | 2 - 4 hours (travel + wait time) | Medium (often closed evenings/weekends) | Non-urgent issues, physical exams |
| MedLetter (Telemedicine) | $49 | Minutes (same-day delivery) | High (accessible anywhere in Ontario) | Urgent notes, exam deferrals, workplace requirements |

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a sick note for a missed exam in Ontario?
Yes. Ontario universities accept sick notes from licensed physicians for exam deferrals and academic accommodations.

How quickly do I need a sick note for an exam deferral?
Most Ontario universities require documentation within 3-5 business days of the missed exam. Online services provide same-day notes.

Will my Ontario university accept an online sick note?
Yes. Major Ontario universities (U of T, York, McMaster, Western, Queen's, Waterloo) accept sick notes from any licensed physician.

What if I was sick but did not see a doctor on the exam day?
A physician can still assess your reported symptoms and provide documentation. Get your note as soon as possible after the illness.

Are telemedicine sick notes legal in Ontario?
Yes. Sick notes provided through telemedicine are fully legal and recognized in Ontario, provided they are issued by a physician registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) following their telemedicine guidelines.

What should I do if my employer in Toronto demands a note for a single sick day?
Under the Working for Workers Act amendments to the ESA, while the ESA protects your first three sick days, having a note prevents employer suspicion. If you have already used these days, or if your employer insists despite the law, a service like MedLetter can provide the necessary documentation quickly to avoid workplace conflict.

Can I use an online sick note for WSIB claims?
While online sick notes are excellent for short-term absences and exam deferrals, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) claims often require specific, detailed forms (like the Form 8) that may necessitate an in-person assessment depending on the nature of the workplace injury.

Related Resources


Related: Sick Note Ontario, Complete City Guide | Ontario Sick Note Cost 2026 | Understanding the Working for Workers Act

See Also