Quick answer: Yes. After you’re seen and examined, an urgent care provider can give you a note for work or school that confirms your visit and, when appropriate, recommends time off or activity limits. Notes are based on your exam that day. Providers generally can’t write notes for days they didn’t see you or without a visit.
Many employers and schools ask for a doctor’s note after an absence. Urgent care is a quick way to get seen and get the paperwork you need, without waiting days for an appointment.
New to PACS? Start with our complete guide to urgent care in Alexandria, VA.
What a doctor’s note usually includes
- The date and time of your visit
- The provider’s name and clinic contact information
- The days you may need off, or the date you can return
- Any limits, such as no lifting, no sports, or light duty
To protect your privacy, notes usually don’t list your diagnosis unless you ask for it.
What notes can’t do
- Cover days before your visit that the provider can’t confirm
- Be written without an exam
- Replace forms that require a specific exam, such as DOT or school physicals
Common reasons people need a note
- Flu, COVID-19 or strep throat
- Stomach bugs
- Pink eye, which many schools and daycares ask about
- Sprains and minor injuries
- Back strain
Work injuries and workers’ comp
If you were hurt on the job, tell your employer and let us know at check-in. PACS treats work injuries and accepts workers’ comp, and can provide work status forms with any duty restrictions.
How to get a note at PACS
- Walk in or check in online. See our walk-in hours: 7 days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM.
- Tell the front desk you need a note for work or school.
- Bring any form your employer or school requires.
- Get your note at the end of your visit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a doctor’s note from a telemedicine visit?
Often, yes. If the provider can assess your condition by video, they can provide a note.
Can urgent care backdate a doctor’s note?
No. A note can confirm when you were seen and what the provider observed, but it can’t confirm illness on days you weren’t seen.
Can I get a return-to-work or return-to-school note?
Yes. If you’ve recovered and need clearance, a provider can examine you and give a return note if appropriate.
Have more questions? See our urgent care FAQ.
Get care today at PACS Urgent Care
PACS Urgent Care – Alexandria
3481 N Beauregard St, Alexandria, VA 22302
Open 7 days a week, 8 AM – 8 PM · Walk-ins welcome
Call (571) 656-8838 · Get directions · New patient guide
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911.
