Title: Functional Capacity Evaluation - AOTA
Headings: Functional Capacity Evaluation
Functional Capacity Evaluation
Who Can Benefit From an FCE?

Content: Traditionally, FCEs measured an individual's ability to perform the physical demands of a job, but over the last decade many FCE batteries have begun to include evaluation of cognitive demands if such testing is warranted. The FCE must be administered with care for the client's safety and well-being. Who Can Benefit From an FCE? Someone who has been injured on the job to determine his or her ability to return to the job or alternate work
Someone applying for Social Security Disability benefits
Someone seeking to return to work or volunteer activities after an injury or illness
Someone injured in a catastrophic accident (i.e., automobile accident) for whom an FCE can determine performance skills and abilities related to resuming former employment or a new job
Someone seeking vocational rehabilitation services
Students receiving transitional services from school to the work setting to determine their skills and the extent of support required to perform in a job
Occupational Therapy's Role in FCEs
The ability to analyze an activity in detail to determine the necessary components to perform the task competently is a unique core skill of occupational therapists, based on their education and training. FCEs typically require the evaluator to determine the worker's capability to perform various work-related tasks and whether there is a match between these abilities and the essential job performance components. Although individuals from other disciplines can be involved in FCEs, the occupational therapy practitioner brings unique knowledge and skills related to the complex and dynamic interactions between the person, the environment, and the occupation. The FCE may be used to determine: Goals for rehabilitation or readiness for discharge planning
Ability to safely return to work status (including full duty, modified duty, or transitional duty)
Work ability status for vocational rehabilitation
Workers' compensation case settlement
Disability status
Ability to meet job demands as part of a hiring process (pre-work/post-offer employment testing)
Ability to meet the demands of other activities (i.e., being a student, volunteering)
What Are the Components of the FCE? The components of the FCE will vary based on the purpose of the assessment. The FCE typically begins with a client interview, medical record review, and musculoskeletal screening.