Updated August 2026, Current Alberta Employment Standards and CPSA telemedicine guidelines.
For a missed U of A exam because of illness, contact your instructor or Faculty as soon as you are able and follow its current excused-absence or deferred-exam process. U of A says a medical note cannot be required, and the Faculty decides each request.
Related Resources
- Alberta Sick Note Guide
- Calgary Sick Notes
- Edmonton Sick Notes
- Alberta Exam Deferral Guide
- New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time.
University of Alberta Exam Deferral: Current Illness Process
The University of Alberta’s Registrar directs students who are sick to contact the instructor or Faculty by phone or email as soon as they are able. The process differs for term work, midterms, and final examinations, so start with the current instructions for your Faculty rather than relying on a generic deadline or form.
Missed Term Work or Midterm
1. Tell your instructor as soon as you are able; U of A says this does not need to be in person.
2. Request an excused absence once you are well enough and follow the course or Faculty instructions.
3. A Faculty may ask for illness documentation or a Faculty-approved alternative form. U of A says a medical note cannot be required.
4. The instructor may decide on an alternative way to complete the work, a weight shift, or another academic response. An excused absence is not automatic.
Missed Final Examination
1. Contact your Faculty by phone or email as soon as you are able.
2. Request a deferred examination through the Faculty once you are well enough.
3. Follow the Faculty’s current directions about any documentation. A medical note cannot be required, but alternative Faculty-approved documentation may be requested.
4. Wait for the Faculty’s decision. U of A states that deferred exams are not automatically granted, even if documentation is provided.
Documentation and Privacy
Only submit documentation requested by the current Faculty process. If a clinician is asked to provide a document, the clinician independently decides what can be supported after an assessment. Do not assume a diagnosis, a particular note format, or a virtual consultation guarantees an academic result.
Faculty-Specific Variations
Faculty of Engineering:
- Strict documentation requirements for midterms
- Lab components may have separate policies
- Contact your department's undergraduate office
Faculty of Science:
- Standard university policy applies
- Some departments require notification to the professor within 24 hours
Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry:
- Much stricter requirements
- Must notify the MD Program office immediately
- May require documentation from specific providers
Augustana Campus (Camrose):
- Same policy as Edmonton campus
- Fewer local healthcare options (Camrose has limited walk-in access)
- MedLetter particularly useful for Augustana students
Getting Documentation During Exam Season in Edmonton
During December and April exams, Edmonton's healthcare options are strained:
| Option | Wait Time | Cost | Reliability During Exams |
|--------|-----------|------|--------------------------|
| UofA Student Health (University Health Centre) | 2-5 day wait | Free | Overwhelmed |
| Walk-in clinic (Whyte Ave area) | 3-5 hours | $20-$40 | Very busy |
| Medicentres (multiple locations) | 2-4 hours | $25-$35 | Moderate |
| MedLetter | 2-4 hours (no wait) | $49 | Guaranteed same-day |
The reality of exam season in Edmonton is that thousands of students are simultaneously dealing with stress-induced illnesses, seasonal flu, and other health issues. This surge in demand places an enormous burden on local clinics, particularly those near the university campus. Relying on a walk-in clinic during this time is a gamble that many students cannot afford to take, given the strict 2-day deadline for submitting documentation.
The 2-Day Deadline Problem
UofA's strict 2-business-day deadline creates urgency:
- Miss a Friday exam → deadline is Tuesday
- Miss a Monday exam → deadline is Wednesday
- Weekend exams → deadline starts counting Monday
If you miss a Friday exam and can't get into a clinic until Monday, you've already used one of your two days just waiting. MedLetter's same-day delivery ensures you have documentation well within the deadline.
This tight turnaround time is one of the most common reasons students fail to secure a deferral. The university's administrative processes do not pause for weekends or holidays, and the clock starts ticking the moment your exam begins. Having a reliable, fast option for obtaining medical documentation is not just a convenience; it is a necessity for protecting your academic standing.
Urgent Scenarios: When You Need a Note Immediately
There are numerous situations where obtaining a sick note becomes an urgent priority. Consider the following scenarios:
- The Boss Demanding a Note by Tomorrow: You called in sick to your part-time job, and your manager insists on a doctor's note before your next shift.
- Called in Sick Without One: You woke up feeling terrible, called in sick, and only later realized your employer's policy requires documentation for any absence.
- Weekend or Evening Illness: You fall ill on a Saturday evening when most traditional clinics are closed, but you need documentation for a missed shift or an upcoming Monday exam.
- Shift Workers Between Rotations: You work irregular hours, perhaps in healthcare or retail, and need a note quickly to cover a missed shift before your next rotation begins.
In these high-pressure situations, the traditional route of waiting for an appointment or sitting in a walk-in clinic for hours is simply not viable. The stress of the illness is compounded by the anxiety of potentially facing disciplinary action at work or academic penalties at school.
Alberta-Specific Context: Employers and Institutions
The need for timely medical documentation extends far beyond the university campus. Across Alberta, major employers and institutions have strict policies regarding sick leave and medical absences. Whether you work for a large corporation in Calgary or a regional office in Red Deer, understanding these requirements is vital.
Major Alberta employers such as Suncor, CNRL, Syncrude, Shaw, Telus, Alberta Health Services (AHS), and WestJet all have specific protocols for handling employee absences. While the exact requirements vary by company, the underlying principle remains the same: undocumented absences can lead to serious consequences.
Furthermore, it is important to be aware of the broader regulatory environment in the province. The Alberta Employment Standards Code outlines the minimum standards for employment, including provisions for unpaid sick leave. Currently, the code allows for up to 27 weeks of unpaid sick leave for eligible employees, but it does not mandate paid sick days. This means that while your job may be protected during an extended illness, you will likely need robust medical documentation to support your claim.
Additionally, the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) has established clear telemedicine guidelines that govern how virtual care providers operate. These guidelines ensure that online medical services, such as those providing sick notes, adhere to the same high standards of care and professionalism as traditional in-person clinics.
University of Calgary (UofC) Students
UofC has a similar but distinct process:
- Apply through your faculty's Student Success Centre
- Medical certificate required for final exam deferrals
- Self-declaration (SDA) available for minor assessments
- 48-hour notification requirement
- Same documentation standards as UofA
While the specific administrative steps may differ between the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary, the core requirement for valid, timely medical documentation remains consistent across both institutions.
Tips for UofA Students
1. Apply immediately, the 2-day deadline is strictly enforced
2. Don't write a partial exam, it's much harder to get a deferral after attempting the exam
3. Keep digital copies, screenshot or save your medical certificate
4. Email your professor, courtesy notification (not required but helpful)
5. Check Bear Tracks, confirm your deferral was processed
6. Note the deferred exam date, typically during the next exam period
Key Takeaway
UofA's 2-business-day deadline for exam deferral documentation means you can't afford delays. During exam season when Edmonton clinics are overwhelmed, MedLetter provides guaranteed same-day documentation from a CPSA-registered physician, meeting all UofA requirements without the risk of being turned away from a full walk-in clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a sick note for a missed university exam?
Yes. Alberta universities accept sick notes from licensed physicians for exam deferrals. The note must confirm you were too ill to attend on the exam date.
How quickly do I need a sick note for an exam deferral?
Most Alberta universities require documentation within 2-5 business days of the missed exam. Online services provide same-day notes to meet tight deadlines.
Will my university accept an online sick note?
Yes. All major Alberta universities (U of C, U of A, MRU, SAIT, NAIT, MacEwan) accept sick notes from any licensed physician, including virtual care providers.
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. However, getting a note as close to the illness date as possible strengthens your deferral application.
Are online sick notes valid for employers in Alberta?
Yes. Online sick notes provided by licensed physicians who adhere to CPSA telemedicine guidelines are legally valid and accepted by employers across Alberta, including major corporations like Suncor, Telus, and WestJet.
What happens if I miss the 2-day deadline at UofA?
If you miss the strict 2-business-day deadline for submitting your medical documentation, your deferral application will likely be denied. You would then need to initiate a formal appeal process, which is complex and not guaranteed to succeed.
Can I use a sick note from a walk-in clinic in Calgary for a UofA exam?
Yes. As long as the medical documentation is provided by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or registered psychologist in Alberta, it will be accepted by the University of Alberta, regardless of which city the clinic is located in.
Related:
See Also
Ready to get your sick note?
U of A's Largest Courses (Where Deferrals Are Most Common)
These high-enrollment courses see the most exam deferral and assignment extension requests each semester:
- PSYCO 104 — 1,500+ students
- ECON 101 — 1,200+ students
- MATH 114 — 1,000+ students
- BIOL 107 — 900+ students
- CHEM 101 — 800+ students
MedLetter provides same-day sick notes for $49 — accepted by U of A for exam deferrals, assignment extensions, missed labs, and late essays.
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. — delivered same-day by a licensed Canadian physician.