SAIT & NAIT Sick Note for Missed Class, Shop Time, or Apprenticeship Absence
SAIT and NAIT have strict attendance policies — especially for trades and apprenticeship programs. Here's how to get proper medical documentation without losing your spot.
## Why SAIT and NAIT Attendance Matters More
Unlike traditional universities where you might miss a lecture without consequence, **SAIT and NAIT have mandatory attendance policies** — especially in:
- Trades programs (welding, electrical, plumbing, carpentry)
- Apprenticeship technical training
- Lab and shop sessions
- Clinical placements (nursing, medical lab)
- Practical assessments
Missing too many hours without documentation can result in **program withdrawal**, loss of your apprenticeship seat, or having to repeat an entire block.
### The Attendance Problem
SAIT's policy is clear: **unexcused absences beyond the allowed threshold can result in academic consequences including withdrawal from the program.** NAIT has similar rules.
For apprenticeship students, it's even more critical. Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) system requires you to complete a set number of technical training hours. Missing days without documentation can mean:
- Repeating the entire training block (8-12 weeks)
- Losing your spot to the next intake (could be 6-12 months away)
- Your employer being notified of your absence
- Potential impact on your journeyman timeline
### What Documentation Do SAIT and NAIT Accept?
Both polytechnics accept medical notes from any licensed Alberta physician. The note must include:
- **Your full name** (matching your student record)
- **The specific date(s) you were unable to attend**
- **A statement confirming medical inability** to attend classes/shop
- **The physician's name, signature, and CPSA registration number**
- **Clinic contact information** for verification
MedLetter notes include all of these elements.
### Same-Day Documentation for Trades Students
Here's the problem trades students face: you're sick on Monday, your shop session is at 7 AM, and by the time walk-in clinics open at 9 AM, you've already missed your class. Then you wait 3 hours at the clinic. By then, you've missed the entire day.
**MedLetter solves this:**
- Submit your request anytime (even at 6 AM before your class starts)
- Receive documentation same day
- No appointment needed
- No 3-hour clinic wait
### Apprenticeship-Specific Considerations
If you're in an apprenticeship program:
1. **Notify your instructor immediately** — don't wait until you return
2. **Get documentation for every missed day** — even one day matters in compressed training blocks
3. **Keep copies** — your employer may also request documentation
4. **Check your program's specific policy** — some programs have stricter thresholds than others
### SAIT Programs with Strict Attendance
- Aviation (Transport Canada requirements)
- Nursing and Health Sciences (clinical hours)
- Welding and Fabrication (shop hours)
- Electrical and Power Engineering
- Culinary Arts (kitchen hours)
- Emergency Medical Technician
### NAIT Programs with Strict Attendance
- Registered Apprenticeship Programs (all trades)
- Nursing and Allied Health
- Instrumentation Engineering Technology
- Power Engineering
- Heavy Equipment Technician
- Millwright
### Cost Comparison
| Option | Cost | Time | Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAIT Health Services | Free (limited) | 1-3 day wait for appointment | Weekdays only |
| NAIT Student Health | Free (limited) | 1-5 day wait | Weekdays only |
| Walk-in clinic | $0-$30 | 2-4 hour wait | Daytime hours |
| MedLetter | $49 | Same day delivery | 24/7 |
When your program seat is worth thousands of dollars and months of time, $49 for same-day documentation is a straightforward decision.
**Get your sick note today.** [Get Started — $49](/get-started/school_accommodation)
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*Medically reviewed by a Licensed Alberta Physician, CPSA-Registered*
*Last reviewed: May 2026*