Last reviewed and updated: July 2026 by a CPSA-registered physician
A doctor note (also called a doctor's note, medical certificate, or sick note) is an official document from a licensed physician confirming that you were assessed and are unable to work or attend school due to illness or injury. In Alberta, doctor notes are issued by physicians registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). MedLetter provides official doctor notes from CPSA-registered physicians with delivery same day — no clinic visit, online review, online process — phone call only if clinically needed. Our notes are widely accepted by Alberta employers, schools, insurance companies, and government agencies.
A doctor note is a formal medical document that confirms a patient has been assessed by a licensed physician and is medically unable to perform their work or school duties for a specified period. In Alberta, these documents are governed by the Health Information Act (HIA) and must be issued by a physician registered with the CPSA. A valid doctor note does not need to disclose your specific diagnosis — it only needs to confirm that you were assessed and provide recommended absence dates.
Alberta employers can request a doctor note for absences, though the Employment Standards Code provides some protections. Under Section 53.982, employees get up to 5 days of job-protected leave per year. Many employers require a note after 3 consecutive days of absence, though some require one for any absence. Schools typically require notes for missed exams or extended absences.
Over 800,000 Albertans don't have a family doctor. Traditional options include walk-in clinics (3-5 hour waits, $20-$100 fee) or emergency rooms (not recommended for sick notes). MedLetter provides a faster alternative: complete an online form in under 5 minutes, and a CPSA-registered physician delivers your signed doctor note same day. No walk-in clinic visit needed, online review, online form — phone call only if clinically needed.
Alberta law does not prescribe a specific format for doctor notes, but employers and institutions generally expect certain elements. A valid doctor note should include the physician's name and credentials, the patient's name, the date of assessment, confirmation that the patient was examined, recommended dates of absence, and the physician's signature. MedLetter notes include all of these elements plus the physician's CPSA registration number for easy verification.
Yes, Alberta employers can legally require a doctor note as proof of illness. However, there are limits. Employers cannot require you to disclose your specific diagnosis — only that you were assessed by a physician and are unable to work. The Alberta Human Rights Commission has ruled that requesting excessive medical information can constitute discrimination. Your doctor note should confirm your absence is medically justified without revealing private health details.
The cost of a doctor note in Alberta varies significantly depending on the provider. Sick notes are considered an uninsured service under Alberta Health Care, meaning most providers charge a fee. Here's how the options compare in 2026.
MedLetter is the only Alberta-focused service that doesn't require a video or phone call. This means faster turnaround, no scheduling hassles, and no awkward video consultations when you're feeling terrible. Our notes are issued by CPSA-registered physicians and include all the elements Alberta employers require.
Different industries in Alberta have different sick note requirements. Oil and gas workers often need notes for camp-based work schedules. Healthcare workers at Alberta Health Services have strict documentation requirements. Construction workers need notes that address physical capability. Teachers need notes aligned with school board policies. MedLetter understands these industry-specific requirements and ensures your note meets the standards your employer expects.
| Provider | Price | Wait Time | Video Required | Alberta Physician | Same Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MedLetter | $49 | same day | No | Yes (CPSA) | Yes |
| Walk-In Clinic | $20-$100 | 3-5 hours | In-person | Yes | Maybe |
| Family Doctor | $20-$50 | Days-weeks | In-person | Yes | No |
| Maple | $49-$69 | Minutes-hours | Yes | Sometimes | Yes |
| Rocket Doctor | $20-$50 | Hours | Yes | Yes | Usually |
| Tia Health | $30+ (limited) | Days-weeks | Yes | Yes | No |
| Emergency Room | $50+ | 4-12 hours | In-person | Yes | Yes |
Alberta Employment Standards Code Section 53.982 provides employees with up to 5 days of job-protected personal and family responsibility leave annually. Employers may request medical documentation but cannot require disclosure of specific diagnoses. The Health Information Act (HIA) protects patient privacy, and the CPSA Standards of Practice authorize physicians to issue documentation through virtual consultations.
A doctor note (also called a doctor's note, medical certificate, or sick note) is an official document from a CPSA-registered physician confirming you were medically assessed and are unable to work or attend school for a specified period.
Yes. CPSA-registered physicians can issue doctor notes through virtual consultations. MedLetter provides doctor notes without requiring a video or phone call — just complete an online form and receive your signed note same day.
MedLetter charges $49 flat. Walk-in clinics charge $20-$100. Maple charges $49-$69. Family doctors may charge $20-$50. Sick notes are uninsured services under Alberta Health Care.
Yes, Alberta employers can legally require a doctor note. However, they cannot require you to disclose your specific diagnosis — only that you were assessed by a physician and are unable to work.
Yes. Notes from CPSA-registered physicians are valid regardless of whether the consultation was in-person or virtual. Alberta Employment Standards do not distinguish between delivery methods.
MedLetter delivers doctor notes same day. Walk-in clinics require 3-5 hours of waiting. Family doctors require days to weeks for an appointment.
A valid Alberta doctor note should include: physician name and CPSA number, patient name, date of assessment, confirmation of medical assessment, recommended absence dates, expected return date, and physician signature.
No. Over 800,000 Albertans lack a family doctor. MedLetter provides doctor notes without requiring you to have an existing physician relationship.
Your note will show it was issued by a CPSA-registered physician. It does not state 'online service' — it looks identical to any other physician-issued note.
Physicians may issue notes for recent illness if clinically appropriate. MedLetter can accommodate notes for illness within the past few days.
No. Doctor notes are classified as uninsured services under Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). All providers charge a fee for this service.
Yes. MedLetter serves anyone physically located in Alberta regardless of citizenship status. Temporary foreign workers, international students, permanent residents, and visitors can all obtain doctor notes. No Alberta Health Care card is required — our $49 fee covers the full service.
In Alberta, 'doctor note,' 'doctor's note,' 'medical certificate,' 'sick note,' and 'medical note' all refer to the same document — official physician documentation confirming you were assessed and are unable to work or attend school. The terminology varies by employer and industry, but the legal standing is identical.
MedLetter issues sick notes for your own illness or injury. For family emergencies, Alberta Employment Standards provides up to 5 days of job-protected personal and family responsibility leave per year. Your employer may accept a written explanation rather than a medical note for family emergencies. If you personally need medical documentation due to the stress of a family emergency, we can help.
Every MedLetter note includes the physician's CPSA registration number. Anyone can verify a physician's registration status on the CPSA's public directory at cpsa.ca. This is the same verification method used for notes from walk-in clinics and family doctors.
Yes. Food poisoning is one of the most common reasons for sick notes. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps clearly prevent you from working. MedLetter can issue a same-day note for food poisoning without requiring you to leave your bathroom.
Alberta employers can request a doctor note for COVID-19 absences, though many have relaxed this requirement. If your employer does require documentation, MedLetter provides same day sick notes for COVID-19. You do not need a positive test result — symptoms alone are sufficient for a sick note.
A doctor note from a CPSA-registered physician is primarily valid for Alberta employers and institutions. If you work for an Alberta employer but are temporarily in another province, the note is still valid. For employers in other provinces, they may have different requirements — but a note from any licensed Canadian physician is generally accepted.
Some employers have their own medical documentation forms. MedLetter can accommodate most standard employer forms if you provide them. However, Alberta law does not require employees to use employer-specific forms — a standard physician's note meeting the legal requirements is sufficient.
Yes. Migraines are a common and valid reason for sick notes. They can be debilitating and clearly prevent you from performing work duties. MedLetter issues same day sick notes for migraines and other headache disorders without requiring you to endure a bright-lit clinic.
Alberta provides 5 days of job-protected personal and family responsibility leave per year, plus up to 27 weeks of long-term illness leave (as of January 2026). Your employer's policy may provide additional paid sick days. A doctor note supports your absence for whatever duration the physician deems medically appropriate.
If your employer sends you home because you appear ill, they can still require a doctor note. However, some employment lawyers argue this is unreasonable since the employer initiated the absence. MedLetter can provide documentation regardless of who initiated the sick day.
Yes. If your illness lasts longer than the dates on your original note, you should obtain an updated note. MedLetter can issue extension notes for $49. Simply submit a new request explaining that your illness has continued beyond the original expected return date.
Yes. MedLetter provides sick notes for post-surgical recovery. Include details about your surgery date and expected recovery timeline in your submission. The physician can issue a note with appropriate absence dates based on the type of procedure and standard recovery timelines.
“Needed a doctor note for my employer. Got it in 2 hours without leaving bed. Exactly what I needed.” — Mike T., Red Deer
“My employer was skeptical about online notes until they verified the CPSA number. Accepted immediately.” — Lisa R., Calgary
“Way better than wasting half a day at a walk-in when I'm already feeling terrible.” — David W., Fort McMurray