A doctor’s note is usually a short, one-page letter on a medical practice’s letterhead. It confirms that a health care provider evaluated you, lists the dates you should be excused from work or school or when you can return, and is signed by the provider with contact information so it can be verified. Most notes don’t include your diagnosis. If you’re sick and your employer or school has asked for one, knowing what a valid note contains can help you avoid having it questioned.
Key takeaways
- Most doctor’s notes fit on one page and include your name, the date you were evaluated, the dates you’re excused, and the provider’s signature and contact details.
- A typical note doesn’t name your diagnosis, and medical leave paperwork such as FMLA certification asks for more detail than a standard note.
- If your employer or school calls to confirm a note, the practice can verify it, but it generally can’t share your health information without your permission.
What is a doctor’s note?
A doctor’s note, also called a medical excuse note or sick note, is a brief document from a licensed health care provider confirming that you had a medical reason to miss work, school, or another obligation. It’s meant to document an absence, not to explain your medical history.
It’s easy to confuse a doctor’s note with related documents:
- A doctor’s note documents a short absence, usually for a few days.
- A medical certificate is a broader term for documents confirming a medical fact, such as fitness to travel or return to work. Our guide on what a medical certificate is explains the differences.
- FMLA certification is a detailed form for job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It can include medical facts, the condition’s likely duration, and work restrictions, which a typical note doesn’t.
What does a doctor’s note include?
A legitimate doctor’s note usually has the same core parts, whoever issues it. Here’s what you can expect to see:
- Practice letterhead, with the name, address, and phone number of the medical practice
- Your full name, and sometimes your date of birth
- The date you were evaluated, whether in person, by video, or through an online review
- The dates you’re excused, or the date you can return to work or school
- A general statement that you had a medical reason to be absent
- Any restrictions, such as no heavy lifting for a set period, if the provider recommends them
- The provider’s name, credentials, and signature
- A way to verify the note, such as a phone number or email for the practice
Some notes also include a short line about when the note was issued. Notes are usually typed rather than handwritten and are often delivered as a PDF.
What a doctor’s note usually doesn’t include
Most notes leave out your diagnosis and detailed medical history. Your employer can ask for a doctor’s note for sick leave, but a short absence rarely requires medical details. Under federal disability law, an employer that requires notes for sick leave must apply that policy to all employees and must keep any medical information it receives confidential.
If your employer needs more than a basic note, such as for extended leave, it will usually ask for a specific form, like FMLA medical certification. Our guide to online FMLA certification covers that process.
Does a doctor’s note look different for work, school, or travel?
The core parts stay the same, but the purpose changes what’s emphasized. The dates and the reason for the note matter most in every case.
- Work notes focus on the dates you’re excused and your return-to-work date. Our page on a doctor’s note for work explains what employers typically look for.
- School notes list the days missed and may mention activity limits, such as sitting out physical education. See our page on a doctor’s note for school.
- Travel notes confirm that an illness kept you from traveling on specific dates, and travel insurance claims often require additional forms. Our page on a doctor’s note for travel covers those letters.
Some employers and schools have their own forms or rules about when a note is required. Some state sick leave laws also limit when an employer can ask for documentation. For example, New Jersey’s earned sick leave law lets employers ask for documentation for absences of 3 or more consecutive days, and Michigan’s earned sick time rules allow employers to require reasonable documentation for absences of more than 3 consecutive days.
Notes that include work restrictions
Some notes say what you can do rather than only what you can’t. Research on the United Kingdom’s “fit note,” which lets doctors recommend adjusted duties or a phased return, found that only a small minority of notes used that option, and practice varied widely. If you could work with limits, such as fewer hours or no lifting, ask your provider whether to include that on your note.
What does a My Dr’s Note doctor’s note look like?
A note from My Dr’s Note comes on the letterhead of HealthSource Medical Associates. It includes your name, the dates of your absence, and a statement that you had a valid medical reason to stay home, and it’s signed by a board-certified physician licensed in your state. If you need specific details added for your employer or school, you can ask for a customized note.
A few things to know about how these notes work:
- A physician reviews every request. Eligibility depends on the symptoms you report, and a request can be declined. You’re charged only if your request is approved.
- Date limits apply. A note can cover up to 5 days in a 30-day period, from 2 days before to 5 days after the date you submit your request.
- Notes are verifiable. If your employer or school calls, the practice will confirm the note is genuine.
- Parents can request notes for children. A parent or guardian may request a note for a child under 18.
If you’re recovering from a mild illness at home and can’t get a timely appointment, you can request a doctor’s note online and a board-certified physician will review your symptoms.
How employers and schools verify a doctor’s note
Employers and schools usually verify a note by contacting the practice listed on it. The practice can confirm that it issued the note and the dates it covers.
Your health information stays protected during that call. A provider generally can’t share your health information with your employer without your authorization, unless another law requires it. That’s one reason a note with clear practice contact information is more likely to be accepted.
Because employers and schools may check, a note should only ever come from a real evaluation by a licensed provider. Creating or changing a note yourself can lead to discipline or other serious consequences, and it isn’t something a legitimate service will help with.
Common reasons a doctor’s note isn’t accepted
Most problems come from missing or unclear details rather than the note itself. Watch for these:
- No dates, or dates that don’t match your absence. Check that the note covers every day you missed.
- No signature or contact information. Without these, the note can’t be verified.
- The wrong document. Extended leave often needs FMLA certification or a specific employer form instead of a note.
- Missing restrictions. If you’re returning with limits, your employer may need them in writing.
- Late submission. Many employers and schools set deadlines for turning in notes.
If your note is questioned, ask your employer or school what’s missing. The issuing practice can often reissue or clarify a note.
When to seek medical attention
A doctor’s note is for recovering from a mild illness at home. Public health guidance for respiratory illnesses suggests going back to normal activities once your symptoms have been improving and you’ve been fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours. Contact a health care provider if your symptoms get worse, last longer than expected, or a new symptom appears.
This is not an emergency service. If you have trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or another emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Frequently asked questions
Does a doctor’s note have to say what’s wrong with me?
Usually not. Most notes state that you had a medical reason to be absent without naming a diagnosis. Even when requesting FMLA leave, you don’t have to tell your employer your diagnosis, though the provider’s certification form asks for more medical detail.
Can my employer call the doctor who wrote my note?
Yes, many employers call to confirm a note is genuine. The practice can confirm it issued the note, but it generally can’t share details about your health without your permission.
Can a doctor’s note cover days before my visit?
Sometimes, within limits. A provider can only document dates they can reasonably support based on your symptoms and history. My Dr’s Note notes can cover up to 2 days before your request.
Is an online doctor’s note valid?
An online note from a licensed physician who reviewed your symptoms is a real medical document. Whether it’s accepted is up to your employer or school, so check their policy first.
What if my employer wants more than a note?
Some employers require their own form or, for longer absences, FMLA certification using the official FMLA forms or an employer version. Ask HR exactly what they need so you can request the right document.
Get a doctor’s note when you can’t see your provider
If you’re recovering from a mild illness and need documentation for work or school, My Dr’s Note can help. Complete a short online form, and a board-certified physician will review your request. If approved, your note is delivered through a secure portal, often within 1 to 2 hours. Get started now; current pricing is shown on the booking page.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed October 24, 2026. Employers and Health Information in the Workplace. https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/employers-health-information-workplace/index.html
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Accessed October 24, 2026. Enforcement Guidance: Disability-Related Inquiries and Medical Examinations of Employees Under the ADA. https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/enforcement-guidance-disability-related-inquiries-and-medical-examinations-employees
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Accessed October 24, 2026. 29 CFR 825.306: Content of Medical Certification. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-V/subchapter-C/part-825/subpart-C/section-825.306
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. Accessed October 24, 2026. Fact Sheet #28G: Medical Certification under the Family and Medical Leave Act. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/28g-fmla-serious-health-condition
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. Revised June 2015. The Employee’s Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act. https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/employeeguide.pdf
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed October 15, 2026. Earned Sick Leave. https://www.nj.gov/labor/worker-protections/earnedsick/
- Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Accessed October 15, 2026. Earned Sick Time Act: Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.michigan.gov/leo/-/media/Project/Websites/leo/Documents/WAGE-HOUR/LEO-ESTA-FAQ-English.pdf
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated August 18, 2025. Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html
- Dorrington S, Roberts E, Mykletun A, Hatch S, Madan I, Hotopf M. Systematic review of fit note use for workers in the UK. Occup Environ Med. 2018;75(7):530-539. doi:10.1136/oemed-2017-104730. https://oem.bmj.com/content/75/7/530
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. Accessed October 24, 2026. FMLA Forms. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/forms
Medical documentation supports your request but does not guarantee approval. Final decisions are made by your employer, insurance carrier, leave administrator, school, or applicable state program.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
This is not an emergency service. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.