Executive Decree No. 17 Of 2025 ' Medical Disability Certificates

• Published date: 29 September 2025
• Law Firm: Icaza Gonzalez-Ruiz & Aleman
• Author: Estefanía Guardia Mendieta

A response to the abuse in the purchase or fabrication of medical disability certificates.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the frequency with which employers request public or private clinics or health centers to verify the authenticity and legitimacy of medical disability certificates submitted by their employees. As a result, from the mistrust generated by the harmful practice of purchasing, fabricating, or tampering with these documents.

In response to this issue, which has spread throughout the country, on August 11, 2025, the Executive Branch issued Executive Decree No. 17 of August 11, 2025. Its essential objectives are to regulate: i) the formalities and conditions for the issuance of Medical Disability Certificates, and ii) the procedure for verifying the authenticity and validity of such certificates, to ensure proper management, monitoring, control, and traceability.

Executive Decree No. 17 of 2025 establishes that any employer who suspects the fraudulent issuance of a medical disability certificate may submit the following documentation to the Ministry of Health (MINSA in Spanish) to request verification of the validity and authenticity of the certificate:

1. Request containing the applicant's general information, the personal information of the employee who submitted the certificate and the doctor who issued it;
2. Name of the health facility or clinic (public or private) where the certificate was issued;
3. Exact location, including building name, street, sector township, district, province, telephone number, etc.,
4. Original Medical Certificate or a copy notarized by an...