Medical certificates at work in Brazil: validity, deadline, ICD code and when the employer can refuse

*A valid medical certificate (atestado médico) justifies absence from work due to illness and prevents deduction of the day and of paid weekly rest. The employer can only refuse it in specific situations, such as well-founded suspicion of fraud or a certificate missing the minimum information. The first 15 days of leave are paid by the employer; from the 16th day, the claim goes to the INSS (social security).*

Quick summary

• What it must include: patient's name, date, period of leave, signature and stamp with professional registration (CRM or CRO).
• ICD code: only appears with the patient's authorization; the employer cannot require it as a condition of validity.
• A dentist's certificate also justifies the absence (Law 6,215/1975).
• Deadline to hand in: the CLT (Brazil's Consolidated Labor Laws) does not set one; the company's rules or the collective agreement apply.
• Up to 15 days: paid by the employer; more than 15 days: INSS — see Sickness benefit.
• A false certificate is serious misconduct and a crime.

When the employer can challenge it

• A certificate that is illegible or missing the minimum information.
• Alterations or concrete signs of forgery.
• Disagreement with the assessment of the company's occupational physician, who may examine the employee — the final word on long leave belongs to the INSS.

Refusing a regular certificate and deducting the day is improper and can be claimed.

Companion certificates

The CLT excuses only specific situations, such as appointments for a pregnant wife or partner and for a child up to 6 years old — see Excused absences. Otherwise, a companion certificate depends on the collective agreement or company policy.

Step by step

1. Ask the doctor for a certificate with a clear period of leave.
2. Notify the employer the same day, by message or email.
3. Hand in the certificate within the internal deadline and keep proof.
4. Check your payslip: there can be no deduction of the day or of paid weekly rest.
5. Successive absences for the same illness totaling more than 15 days within 60 days may be referred to the INSS.

Frequently asked questions

Can the employer require the ICD code on the certificate?

Not as a condition of validity. The ICD code is only disclosed with the patient's authorization.

Is a psychologist's certificate valid?

It depends on the collective rule and company policy; the medical certificate is what social security law broadly recognizes.

I was dismissed while on a medical certificate. Is that allowed?

See Dismissal during medical leave.

Read more in this series

• Dismissal during medical leave
• INSS sickness benefit in 2026
• Excused absences: when you can miss work without a deduction
• Pre-employment, periodic and exit medical exams (ASO)
• Index: complete guide to labor rights