Getting a Sick Note for a UPEI Exam Deferral
UPEI's 5,000+ students all compete for the same limited healthcare resources in Charlottetown during exam season. Here's how to get the documentation you need without losing a full day.
UPEI's Deferred Examination Policy
University of Prince Edward Island:
- Submit a "Request for Deferred Examination" to the Registrar's Office
- Medical documentation must be submitted within 3 business days of the missed exam
- Documentation must be dated on or before the exam date
- Deferred exams are scheduled during the next deferred exam period
Key contacts:
- Registrar's Office: registrar@upei.ca or 902-566-0634
- Student Affairs: studentaffairs@upei.ca
- Faculty of Arts: arts@upei.ca
- Faculty of Science: science@upei.ca
- School of Business: business@upei.ca
- Faculty of Nursing: nursing@upei.ca
- Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC): avc@upei.ca
What Documentation Is Required?
UPEI requires:
✅ Must include:
- Date of medical consultation
- Confirmation of inability to write the exam
- Specific dates of incapacity (must cover the exam date)
- Physician's name, credentials, and signature
- CPSPEI registration number (for PEI physicians)
❌ Not required:
- Specific diagnosis
- Symptom details
- Treatment information
The Charlottetown Exam-Season Problem
During December and April finals:
- UPEI Health Centre: Overwhelmed, 2–3 hour waits, frequently at capacity
- Charlottetown walk-in clinics: Packed with students (3–4 hour waits)
- Summerside clinics: 30-minute drive + 2–3 hour wait
- Family doctors: Booked 5–7 days out (past the 3-day deadline)
With only 2–3 walk-in clinics serving all of Charlottetown (including 5,000 UPEI students, 2,500 Holland College students, and 170,000 residents), exam season creates a perfect storm.
Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) Students
AVC students at UPEI have additional considerations:
- Clinical rotation absences may require separate documentation
- Animal care responsibilities may need coverage arrangements
- Contact AVC Student Services directly: avc@upei.ca
- Documentation requirements are stricter for clinical placements
Holland College Students
If you're at Holland College rather than UPEI:
- Similar documentation requirements
- Submit to your program coordinator
- Deadline varies by program (typically 48–72 hours)
- Contact: Student Services — 902-566-9600
Getting Documentation Online
MedLetter provides documentation meeting UPEI's requirements:
- Date of consultation (same day)
- Confirmation of medical inability to attend exam
- Specific dates of incapacity
- CPSPEI-registered physician credentials and signature
- Cost: $49 | Turnaround: Same day
Midterm Deferrals at UPEI
For midterms:
- Contact your professor directly (email before the exam if possible)
- Provide documentation within 48 hours
- Professor determines makeup format
- If professor is unresponsive, contact your department chair
Common Mistakes
1. Missing the 3-day deadline — This is tight; don't wait
2. Documentation dated after the exam — Must be on or before exam day
3. Using 811 Telehealth — They provide advice, not documentation
4. Not emailing your professor immediately — Do this first, even before you have documentation
5. Assuming UPEI Health Centre can see you same-day during finals — They often can't
Key Takeaway
UPEI's 3-business-day deadline for exam deferral documentation is tight, especially when Charlottetown's limited walk-in clinics are overwhelmed during finals. Online documentation from a CPSPEI-registered physician provides same-day delivery — ensuring you meet your deadline without spending half a day in a packed waiting room during the most stressful week of the semester.