Last reviewed and updated: July 2026 by a CPSA-registered physician
When your employer requires a medical note for a work absence in Alberta, you need documentation that meets specific legal requirements. MedLetter provides official medical notes for work that are widely accepted by Alberta employers — from major corporations to small businesses. Our notes are issued by CPSA-registered physicians, include all required elements under Alberta Employment Standards, and are delivered same day. No clinic visit, online review, online process — phone call only if clinically needed.
Alberta employers have specific expectations for medical notes, though the law gives employees significant privacy protections. Under the Health Information Act (HIA), your employer is only entitled to know that you were assessed by a physician and are unable to work — they cannot demand your specific diagnosis, treatment details, or prognosis. MedLetter notes are specifically designed to meet employer requirements while protecting your privacy.
Alberta employees have important rights regarding medical notes. Under the Employment Standards Code, you're entitled to up to 5 days of job-protected personal and family responsibility leave per year. While employers can request medical documentation, they must be reasonable in their requests. The Alberta Human Rights Commission has established that employers cannot require excessive medical information, cannot require you to disclose your diagnosis, and cannot penalize you for using legitimate medical documentation services.
MedLetter notes are accepted by employers across all Alberta industries. Our notes have been accepted by Alberta Health Services, the City of Calgary, the City of Edmonton, Suncor Energy, Canadian Natural Resources, WestJet, Shaw Communications, Telus, ATB Financial, PCL Construction, and thousands of small and medium businesses. If your employer has questions, our notes include the physician's CPSA registration number for instant verification.
In Alberta, 'medical note for work,' 'sick note,' 'doctor's note,' and 'medical certificate' all refer to the same document — official physician documentation confirming you're unable to work due to illness or injury. The terminology varies by employer and industry, but the document itself is the same. MedLetter provides this documentation regardless of what your employer calls it.
Alberta law gives employers the right to request medical documentation, but with limits. Employers can require a note for absences exceeding their stated threshold (commonly 3+ days). They can require a note for pattern absences (e.g., always calling in sick on Mondays). They cannot require a note for every single absence without a legitimate business reason. They cannot require you to see a specific doctor. And they cannot require excessive medical detail beyond what's needed to confirm your absence is legitimate.
Different work situations may require different types of medical documentation. A simple one-day absence might need a basic sick note. A longer absence might need a note specifying return-to-work date. Modified duties after an injury require a note outlining specific restrictions. Return-to-work clearance requires a note confirming you're fit to resume duties. MedLetter handles all of these situations.
MedLetter provides medical notes for workers in every Alberta industry. We understand the specific requirements of oil and gas (camp schedules, safety-sensitive positions), healthcare (AHS documentation standards), construction (physical capability requirements), education (school board policies), retail and food service (shift-based scheduling), transportation (commercial driver requirements), and government (public service leave policies).
If your Alberta employer rejects a legitimate medical note from a CPSA-registered physician, they may be in violation of Alberta Employment Standards or Human Rights legislation. Steps you can take: 1) Ask your employer to specify in writing what's missing from the note. 2) Contact MedLetter — we can address specific employer concerns. 3) File a complaint with Alberta Employment Standards if your employer is being unreasonable. 4) Contact the Alberta Human Rights Commission if you believe you're being discriminated against.
| 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 | If you wait |
| Family Doctor | $20-$50 | Days-weeks | In-person | Yes | No |
| Maple | $49-$69 | Minutes-hours | Yes | Sometimes | Usually |
| Rocket Doctor | $20-$50 | Hours | Yes | Yes | Usually |
| Tia Health | $30+ (limited) | Days-weeks | Yes | Yes | No |
Alberta Employment Standards Code Section 53.982 provides 5 days of job-protected personal and family responsibility leave. Employers may request medical documentation but must comply with the Health Information Act regarding privacy. The Alberta Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on disability, which includes temporary illness. Employers who unreasonably reject legitimate medical documentation may face complaints under these frameworks.
A valid medical note for work in Alberta 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. It does NOT need to include your diagnosis.
Employers cannot legally reject a medical note solely because it was issued through a virtual consultation. If the note is from a CPSA-registered physician and includes required elements, it is legally valid.
MedLetter charges $49 flat. Walk-in clinics charge $20-$100 plus 3-5 hours of waiting. Medical notes are uninsured services under Alberta Health Care — all providers charge a fee.
Alberta law does not require employers to reimburse the cost of medical notes. However, some employers and collective agreements do cover this cost. Check your employment contract or union agreement.
While there's no law preventing this, employers must be reasonable. If your workplace policy states a note is required for any absence, they can enforce it. However, the Alberta Human Rights Commission may view excessive requirements as discriminatory.
No. Under Alberta's Health Information Act, you are not required to disclose your specific diagnosis to your employer. Your medical note only needs to confirm you were assessed and are unable to work.
Yes. MedLetter delivers all medical notes same day, typically same day. No appointment or video call required.
Yes. Notes from CPSA-registered physicians are accepted regardless of consultation method. Major Alberta employers including AHS, City of Calgary, Suncor, and WestJet accept online medical notes.
MedLetter can issue notes specifying temporary work restrictions and modified duties. Include details about your job requirements in the form so the physician can provide appropriate recommendations.
Your note is delivered as a PDF via email. You can forward it directly to your employer, HR department, or supervisor. You can also print it if a physical copy is required.
Probationary employees have the same rights to sick leave and medical documentation as permanent employees under Alberta Employment Standards. Your employer cannot treat you differently regarding medical note requirements.
Yes. Independent contractors, freelancers, and gig workers can all obtain medical notes from MedLetter. While contractors may not have the same Employment Standards protections as employees, many contracts and client agreements require medical documentation for absences. Our notes serve this purpose.
Under Alberta's Health Information Act, your employer is only entitled to know that you were assessed and are unable to work. They cannot demand your diagnosis, treatment plan, medications, or prognosis. If your employer requests excessive information, you can refuse and direct them to the Alberta Human Rights Commission guidelines on medical information in the workplace.
Yes. MedLetter can issue notes for recurring conditions like chronic migraines, IBS flare-ups, endometriosis, or recurring back pain. Each episode requires a separate note ($49). For conditions requiring ongoing accommodation, consider our workplace accommodation letter ($149) which provides longer-term documentation.
Alberta Employment Standards provides 3 days of bereavement leave for the death of a close family member. Employers typically do not require a medical note for bereavement — they may request proof of the death (obituary, funeral notice). However, if grief is affecting your health and you need additional time off, MedLetter can provide a sick note.
Alberta employers cannot force you to see a specific physician for a routine sick note. However, for return-to-work assessments, independent medical examinations (IMEs), or fitness-for-duty evaluations, employers may request you see a physician of their choosing (at their expense). For standard sick notes, you can use any CPSA-registered physician including MedLetter.
MedLetter requires that you have a genuine medical reason for your absence. Our physicians exercise clinical judgment and will only issue notes when medically appropriate. Requesting a note without a legitimate health concern is not something we can accommodate. If you need time off for non-medical reasons, speak with your employer about personal leave options.
For workplace injuries, you should file a WCB Alberta claim which has its own documentation process. MedLetter provides sick notes for non-workplace illness and injury. If you're unsure whether your condition is work-related, submit a request and our physician can advise on the appropriate documentation path.
As of January 2026, Alberta employees are entitled to up to 27 weeks of job-protected long-term illness and injury leave per calendar year. Employers can require medical documentation for this leave. MedLetter provides extended absence notes ($79) and can issue ongoing documentation as needed throughout your leave period.
No. Alberta Employment Standards prohibits employers from disciplining, penalizing, or terminating employees for exercising their right to sick leave with proper medical documentation. If you experience retaliation for using legitimate sick leave, you may file a complaint with Alberta Employment Standards or consult an employment lawyer.
Federally regulated employers in Alberta (banks, airlines, telecommunications, interprovincial transport) are governed by the Canada Labour Code rather than Alberta Employment Standards. The Canada Labour Code provides 10 days of medical leave per year. MedLetter notes from CPSA-registered physicians are accepted by federal employers.
Yes. Dental procedures (wisdom teeth removal, root canals, oral surgery) often require recovery time away from work. MedLetter can issue sick notes for dental recovery. Include details about your procedure in the submission form so the physician can recommend appropriate absence dates.
A sick note confirms you are unable to work and specifies absence dates. A return to work note confirms you are medically cleared to resume duties, possibly with restrictions. MedLetter provides both for $49 each. If you need a return to work clearance, submit a new request specifying that you're ready to return.
“My HR department accepted the note without any questions. Looked completely professional.” — Rachel H., Calgary
“Work in oil and gas with strict documentation requirements. MedLetter note was accepted at camp no problem.” — Brett S., Fort McMurray
“New job, didn't want to look bad calling in sick. Had my note to HR within 2 hours. Professional and easy.” — Kayla M., Edmonton
Get Your Medical Note for Work — $49