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Medical certificates in Puerto Rico: what they are and which one you need

A medical certificate is a document signed by a doctor about your evaluation, your health or your test results. Puerto Rico has several: the certificado de salud (in person, with tests), school or university forms, a doctor's note, the DTOP-DIS-260 and the PVAC-3 vaccination form. Our clinic does not issue the health certificate for employment; by video, we document what the doctor evaluates in your visit, such as a doctor's note.

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$35School and university forms

School and university forms: $35 — Book

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School or university forms, and a medical certificate of an illness or condition the doctor evaluated, if her evaluation supports it. Does not include forms that need a vision exam, such as the DTOP driver's license form.

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What a medical certificate is and which one you need

A medical certificate in Puerto Rico is any document in which a doctor certifies something about your health. Find the one you were asked for:

Certificado de salud (jobs in food handling or health services): required by Law 232-2000 and issued in person by an authorized doctor, with TB and syphilis tests. The clinic does not offer the health certificate.
School or university forms: the doctor completes them to the extent her video evaluation supports it (see the online medical certificate). We do not issue an evaluation or certificate to start a job.
[Doctor's note](route:service-sick-note) (for work or school): signed by the doctor who evaluated you. We give you one after you see a doctor online, if the doctor considers it appropriate, at no extra charge.
Certificate of an illness or condition the doctor evaluated: if the doctor evaluated you by video for an illness, she can document what she found. It does not certify fitness for a job.
DTOP-DIS-260 (driver's license): needs an in-person vision exam, so it isn't part of the forms visit.
PVAC-3 vaccination certificate (hoja verde): issued in person by whoever gives the vaccines.
Premarital certificate: required by the Registro Demográfico, with lab tests.
Doctor's note for travel insurance: if you got sick in Puerto Rico and need to cancel or change your trip, the doctor evaluates you and, if appropriate, gives you a note dated the day of the visit, included in the doctor visit. See doctor's note for travel insurance.

What we do for $35, and what it does not include

By video, now

School or university forms the doctor can complete after evaluating you by video, if what they ask can be certified by that evaluation.
A medical certificate of an illness or condition the doctor evaluated in your visit.

What it does not include

The certificado de salud (employment, health card, food handler): our clinic does not issue it; an authorized doctor issues it in person.
Forms that need a physical or vision exam, such as the DTOP driver's license form.
The PVAC-3 vaccination certificate: whoever gives the vaccines issues it.

School and university forms: $35 — Book

Need a doctor’s note because you were sick? That is the $79 doctor visit; the note is included at no extra charge if the doctor finds it appropriate.

Doctor visit (note if appropriate): $79 — Book

Which one is done by video, and which in person?

To save you time, here is the difference:

By video: a doctor's note after your visit, a certificate of an illness or condition the doctor evaluated, and school or university forms her evaluation supports. Book on the booking page.
In person: the health certificate (tests and an authorized doctor), the DTOP-DIS-260 (vision exam), the PVAC-3 hoja verde (vaccines) and the premarital certificate (lab tests).

The health certificate (Law 232) is a different document

This is the yearly certificate that Law 232-2000 and Regulation 138 require for certain workers. It needs a TB skin test, placed and read in person, and a syphilis test, and it is issued by a Department of Health-authorized doctor at the authorized site. The clinic does not offer the health certificate. Requirements, cost and where to go are in the Puerto Rico health certificate guide.

School and university forms

Many schools, universities and programs ask for a signed medical form. In a forms visit, Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD, a Puerto Rico-licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience, evaluates you by video and completes the form when the evaluation supports it. Read more about the online medical certificate.

Have the form ready before the visit. If it asks for something that can only be done in person, such as a vision exam, another provider handles that part. If the visit turns out to need a full doctor visit, the doctor explains why and, only with your consent, you pay the difference.

To book, go to the booking page and choose the forms visit. Video doctor visits 24/7 — book online and choose your time right away.

If you missed work or school because you were sick

If you are sick and your employer or school wants proof, the doctor evaluates you by video through online urgent care and, if appropriate, gives you a doctor's note for work or school, included at no extra charge after your visit. The doctor only documents what she evaluates during the visit, so notes are never backdated.

Puerto Rico public schools usually accept a written note from a parent for short absences; check with the school before paying for a visit only to get a note.

Driver's license medical certificate (DTOP-DIS-260)

The DTOP form says the doctor will examine the applicant personally, and it records visual acuity in each eye. Because it needs a vision exam, we don't complete it. See the driver's license medical certificate guide.

School and daycare documents

Schools and daycares ask for documents such as the PVAC-3 vaccination form and, in certain grades, an oral exam certificate. If you are relocating with children, see Puerto Rico school health requirements.

PVAC-3 vaccination certificate (hoja verde)

The PVAC-3 is issued by the doctor or professional who gives the vaccines, through the Puerto Rico Immunization Registry, and vaccines are given in person. If you are already vaccinated and lost the form, ask whoever vaccinated you or the Department of Health's vaccination program.

Premarital medical certificate

For a marriage license, the Registro Demográfico (vital records office) asks for lab tests and a doctor's certification after the results. Check the current requirements with the Department of Health's Registro Demográfico before you start.

How we care for you

We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.

Frequently asked questions

What is a medical certificate?

A document signed by a doctor that certifies something about your health: that you were evaluated, that you are fit for an activity, that you were sick, or that your tests are current. Each employer, school or agency asks for a different one, so confirm which one before you look for it.

Do you issue medical certificates by telehealth?

Yes: a doctor's note, included after your visit; a certificate of an illness or condition the doctor evaluated, and school or university forms her evaluation supports, in a forms visit. The health certificate cannot be issued by video, and we don't issue evaluations to start a job. We don't complete forms that need a vision exam, such as the DTOP.

What is the difference between a medical certificate and the health certificate?

A medical certificate is any document in which a doctor certifies something about your health. The health certificate is one specific kind: the Department of Health requires it for certain workers, with TB and syphilis tests, and an authorized doctor issues it in person.

Is a doctor's note the same as a medical certificate?

No. A doctor's note documents that you were sick and could not go to work or school; it is included after your visit if the doctor considers it appropriate. A medical certificate is broader and includes forms, tests and certifications. On validity by video: is a telehealth doctor's note valid?

Will the doctor sign any form?

The doctor completes a form when the video evaluation supports it. If the form asks for something done only in person, such as a physical or vision exam or a vaccine, another provider handles that part.

Do you issue the health certificate or a clearance to start a job?

No. Our clinic does not issue health certificates for employment (health card, food handler certificate) or clearances to start a position. An authorized doctor issues it in person: see the health certificate guide.

Can you backdate a doctor's note?

No. The doctor only documents what she evaluates during the visit.

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