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.
Also available: Alberta Sick Notes | BC Sick Notes | Canada-Wide Guide
University of Toronto Exam Deferral: Sick Note Toronto Students Need in 2026
The University of Toronto (UofT), with campuses at St. George, UTM (Mississauga), and UTSC (Scarborough), has specific policies for exam deferrals that differ from other Ontario universities. With 95,000+ students across three campuses, understanding these requirements is essential for protecting your academic standing.
UofT's Verification of Illness or Injury (VOI) Form
UofT uses a specific form called the Verification of Illness or Injury (VOI) form. This is NOT a standard sick note, it is UofT's own form that must be completed by a medical practitioner.
Key features of the VOI form:
- Available for download from UofT's registrar website
- Must be completed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or psychologist
- Includes severity assessment (mild, moderate, severe)
- Includes incapacitation period (specific dates of inability to function)
- Does NOT require specific diagnosis disclosure (only functional limitations)
- Must be submitted to your college registrar within the deadline
What the VOI form asks the practitioner to confirm:
1. Date of assessment
2. Whether the illness/injury was acute or chronic
3. Severity level (mild/moderate/severe)
4. Specific dates the student was incapacitated
5. Whether the condition affected the student's ability to complete academic work
6. Practitioner's credentials and signature
When You Need the VOI Form vs. Absence Declaration
UofT introduced the Absence Declaration tool on ACORN, which changed the documentation landscape significantly:
| Situation | VOI Form Required? | Absence Declaration Sufficient? |
|-----------|-------------------|-------------------------------|
| Missing a final exam | Yes | No |
| Missing a midterm (10%+ of grade) | Yes | No |
| Missing assignment deadline (25%+) | Yes | No |
| Requesting Late Withdrawal (LWD) | Yes | No |
| Extended absence (5+ days) | Yes | No |
| Missing a tutorial/lab (< 10%) | No | Yes (if eligible) |
| Missing a lecture | No | Yes |
| Short absence (1-3 days, minor work) | No | Yes |
Absence Declaration rules:
- Available for absences of up to 14 consecutive days
- Can be used once per term (Fall, Winter, Summer)
- No documentation required, self-declaration on ACORN
- Cannot be used for final exams or assignments worth 25%+
- Cannot be used if you have already used it that term
How to Defer a Final Exam at UofT: Step-by-Step
St. George Campus:
1. Download the VOI form from your college registrar's website
2. Get the form completed by a medical practitioner (within 1 week of missed exam)
3. Submit a petition through your college registrar (University College, Trinity, Victoria, St. Michael's, Innis, Woodsworth, New College, or Faculty of Arts & Science)
4. Upload the completed VOI form with your petition
5. Wait for approval (typically 1-3 weeks during exam period)
6. Deferred exam scheduled during the next deferred exam period (typically February for Fall, June/July for Winter)
UTM (Mississauga Campus):
1. Same VOI form requirement
2. Submit through the UTM Registrar's Office (Davis Building)
3. Deadline: typically within 1 week of missed exam
4. Deferred exams scheduled in the next exam period
UTSC (Scarborough Campus):
1. Same VOI form requirement
2. Submit through the UTSC Registrar's Office
3. Deadline: typically within 1 week of missed exam
4. Similar timeline and process
Getting the VOI Form Completed During Exam Season
During December and April exams, Toronto's healthcare options are severely strained by 95,000+ UofT students (plus students from York, Ryerson/TMU, and other institutions):
| Option | Wait Time | Cost | Can Complete VOI? | Availability During Exams |
|--------|-----------|------|-------------------|--------------------------|
| UofT Health & Wellness (St. George) | 2-14 day wait | Free | Yes | Extremely limited |
| UTM Health & Counselling | 3-10 day wait | Free | Yes | Very limited |
| UTSC Health & Wellness | 3-10 day wait | Free | Yes | Very limited |
| Walk-in clinic (Toronto) | 2-5 hours | $20-$40 | Yes (bring form) | Available but packed |
| Appletree Medical | 2-4 hours | $20-$35 | Yes (bring form) | Available but packed |
| MedLetter | 2-6 hours (no wait) | $49 | Yes (equivalent documentation) | Always available |
The exam season crunch: During December finals, UofT Health & Wellness at St. George typically has a 7-14 day wait for appointments. This is AFTER your exam has already been missed. Walk-in clinics near campus (Bloor, College, Spadina) have 4-6 hour waits as thousands of students compete for appointments.
The Absence Declaration vs. VOI: Decision Guide
Use the Absence Declaration when:
- You have not used it yet this term
- The missed work is worth less than 25% of your grade
- It is not a final exam
- The absence is 14 days or fewer
- You want to avoid the hassle of getting documentation
Use the VOI Form when:
- You missed a final exam (no choice, VOI required)
- The missed work is worth 25%+ of your grade
- You have already used your Absence Declaration this term
- You need to defer multiple assessments
- You are requesting a Late Withdrawal for medical reasons
- The absence exceeds 14 days
Tips for UofT Students
1. Use the Absence Declaration first, if eligible, it is faster and free (save your VOI for finals)
2. Download the VOI form NOW, have it saved on your phone/laptop before you need it
3. Bring the form to your appointment, practitioners need to fill out UofT's specific form (not just a generic sick note)
4. Submit to the correct registrar, each college has its own office with different procedures
5. Keep digital copies, photograph or scan everything you submit
6. Do not wait, submit as soon as possible after the missed exam (1-week deadline)
7. Check your email, registrars communicate decisions via UofT email
8. Prepare for the deferred exam, it is often harder than the original (different questions, same weight)
International Students: Additional Considerations
UofT's large international student population faces unique challenges:
- May not have OHIP (3-month waiting period for new arrivals)
- UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) covers physician visits but not sick note fees
- Language barriers at walk-in clinics
- Unfamiliarity with Ontario's healthcare system
- Cultural reluctance to seek medical care for "minor" illness
MedLetter's online form eliminates language barriers and does not require OHIP, the flat $49 fee covers everything regardless of insurance status.
Graduate Students: Research and TA Obligations
Graduate students face dual documentation needs:
- Academic: Missed comprehensive exams, thesis deadlines, course requirements
- Employment: Missed TA duties, research obligations, lab responsibilities
A single VOI form may cover both, but graduate students should confirm with their department and the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) what documentation is needed for each obligation.
Key Takeaway
For most missed coursework at UofT, the Absence Declaration (once per term, no documentation) is your easiest option. For final exams and major assessments (25%+), you need the VOI form completed by a medical practitioner. During exam season when UofT Health and Wellness is overwhelmed with 2-week wait times, MedLetter provides same-day documentation from a CPSO-registered physician that meets UofT's requirements.
New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time.
Related: Sick Note Ontario, Complete City Guide | Ontario Sick Note Cost 2026 | Sick Note Near Me Toronto | Doctor Note Near Me Toronto
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a sick note for a missed UofT exam?
Yes. You need the Verification of Illness or Injury (VOI) form completed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or psychologist. This must be submitted to your college registrar within approximately 1 week of the missed exam.
Does UofT accept online sick notes?
Yes. UofT accepts documentation from any licensed medical practitioner, including those providing virtual care. The key requirement is that the VOI form (or equivalent documentation) is completed by a CPSO-registered physician.
How quickly do I need documentation after missing a UofT exam?
Typically within 1 week (5 business days) of the missed exam, though deadlines vary by college. Check with your specific registrar for exact deadlines. Do not wait, submit as soon as possible.
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 after the fact. The VOI form asks for the dates of incapacity, not necessarily the date of the medical visit. However, getting documentation sooner strengthens your petition.
Can I use the Absence Declaration for a final exam?
No. The Absence Declaration cannot be used for final exams or assessments worth 25% or more of your final grade. You must use the VOI form process for these situations.
What happens if my deferral petition is denied?
You can appeal the decision through your college registrar or the Faculty of Arts & Science appeals process. Having strong medical documentation (VOI form properly completed) significantly reduces the chance of denial.
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Sources: Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA, s.50), Ontario Human Rights Code (s.17), Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Last verified: August 2026.
See Also
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