Title: Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE): What to Expect
Headings: Functional Capacity Evaluation
Functional Capacity Evaluation
Why Would You Get an FCE Test?
There are five primary reasons for getting an FCE test if you are involved in a workers compensation case:
There Are Two Types of FCE Tests
What Happens at a Functional Capacity Evaluation?
The functional skills tested are similar to what you see in work places every day:
How Long Do FCE Tests Take?
Who Conducts Functional Capacity Evaluations?
Are Therapists Biased in Compiling Results?
Sources:
About the author
Bill Fay

Content: The treating physician, insurance carrier or employer is looking for objective information to help them decide the safest way to return to work. The treating doctor has determined that a worker has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), but needs test results to determine the worker’s capacities or disability status to assist with claim closure. To identify restrictions or job modifications that would help the return to work. Physical and cognitive testing is needed for case management, disability determination, job placement decisions, future rehabilitation or vocational plans. There is a disagreement between the parties on whether the worker has the physical skills or cognitive capacity to complete their job responsibilities. FCEs usually are ordered by the physician treating the injured worker, but also could be requested by the insurance carrier or attorney representing the injured worker. The data gathered in an FCE exam is compiled into a final report by the therapist conducting the tests and sent the referring party. It may be distributed to the other parties involved and could be used to defend or dispute recommendations. There Are Two Types of FCE Tests
The list of jobs at any company, large or small, often varies dramatically and so do the requirements that go with them, so no, there isn’t one, standardized FCE test. Instead, there are two types of FCEs, generic and job specific, with several proprietary tests for each one.