Last reviewed and updated: August 2026 by a licensed Canadian physician
Need short-term illness documentation in Nova Scotia for work or school? Submit an online request for independent physician review. Nova Scotia limits when an employer can require a medical certificate and accepts certificates from various qualified health professionals. Employers, schools, and insurers still apply their own processes.
Official provincial source: Government of Nova Scotia: Medical Certificates for Employee Absence Act
A clinic’s advertised document fee is not always the full personal cost. Before choosing an in-person option, consider current clinic fees, travel, parking or transit, and the time involved while you are unwell. MedLetter charges a $49 flat fee with secure online intake and no clinic trip; a physician independently determines whether documentation is clinically appropriate.
The province says an employer cannot require a medical note unless an employee missed more than five consecutive working days due to illness or injury, or has already had at least two non-consecutive absences of five or fewer days in the preceding 12 months.
Nova Scotia states that employers must accept certificates from various qualified health professionals, not just physicians. Check the recipient's form or process for any specific requirements.
Follow the employer's attendance process, keep a record of your notice, and ask what documentation is needed. Whether a certificate is appropriate depends on the statutory threshold and the individual situation.
No existing family-doctor relationship is required to submit an online request. A physician reviews the information and documentation is issued only if clinically appropriate.
Compare the full personal cost, not only a posted clinic document fee. Clinic fees, appointment access, travel, parking or transit, and your time vary. MedLetter charges a $49 flat fee with no clinic trip; a physician independently decides whether short-term documentation is clinically appropriate.
New sick-note requests are temporarily paused while we review our service. We are not accepting new orders at this time.