legeerklæring

A legeerklæring is a medical certificate issued by a licensed physician that attests to a person’s health status for administrative or practical purposes. The term is commonly used in Norwegian-speaking contexts to describe documents requested by employers, schools, insurers, or authorities to verify illness, fitness, or functional limitations. Depending on the jurisdiction and the patient’s consent, the certificate may indicate a diagnosis, a clinical assessment, a prognosis, and any restrictions relevant to work, study, driving, sports, or other activities.

Contents and form of a legeerklæring vary with context. A certificate typically includes the patient’s identifiers, date of examination, the physician’s assessment, any diagnosed condition (where appropriate and with consent), the recommended period of absence or restrictions, and instructions for follow-up. Some situations require standardized forms, while others permit free-text descriptions. Privacy considerations influence what information is disclosed to third parties.

Common uses include certifying sick leave, supporting eligibility for disability or social benefits, authorizing or restricting participation in activities, and fulfilling regulatory requirements for driving licenses or school attendance. The physician’s responsibility is to provide accurate, timely information while respecting patient confidentiality and legal data-protection rules. Regulations governing legeerklæringer, including required content and disclosure limits, differ between countries and even within regions, leading to notable variation in practice and form.