An FCE measures what you can safely do at work after an injury. Here is what it tests, how to prepare, and how the results are used.
After a work injury, one question comes up again and again: what can this person safely do now? A functional capacity evaluation, or FCE, is designed to answer that question with objective data instead of guesswork.
Whether you are an injured worker, an employer, an attorney, an insurance adjuster, or a physician, this guide explains what an FCE involves and how the results are used.
What an FCE Measures
An FCE is a series of standardized tests, given by a licensed physical therapist, that measures your physical abilities related to work. It typically looks at:
- Lifting and carrying: how much you can safely lift from the floor, to waist height, and overhead, and how much you can carry and how far
- Pushing and pulling
- Positional tolerance: how long you can sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and reach overhead
- Movement: bending, climbing stairs, balance, and walking
- Hand function: grip strength and fine motor tasks
- Consistency of effort: whether test results are consistent across tasks, which supports the reliability of the findings
Who Orders an FCE?
- Workers' compensation carriers and case managers, to guide return to work or case closure
- Physicians, to set work restrictions
- Attorneys, in workers' compensation, personal injury, and disability cases
- Employers, to match an employee to safe job duties
An FCE is often done when someone has reached the point where more improvement is not expected, sometimes called maximum medical improvement, or when return to work is being planned.
What to Expect on Test Day
Before the test
- Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes.
- Bring a list of your medicines and any braces or devices you use.
- Eat a normal meal and take your usual medicines unless your doctor says otherwise.
- Bring your job description if you have one.
During the test
An FCE usually takes several hours. Some are done over two days to see how your body responds the next day. You can expect:
- An interview about your injury, symptoms, and job
- A physical exam, including strength, motion, and vital signs
- Functional tests that start light and get harder as safe
- Monitoring of heart rate, posture, and body mechanics throughout
You are always in control. If a task causes pain you cannot safely tolerate, tell the evaluator. Your safety comes first.
Understanding Physical Demand Levels
FCE results are often summarized using physical demand levels from the U.S. Department of Labor:
- Sedentary: lifting up to 10 pounds occasionally; mostly sitting
- Light: lifting up to 20 pounds occasionally, 10 pounds frequently
- Medium: lifting 20 to 50 pounds occasionally, 10 to 25 pounds frequently
- Heavy: lifting 50 to 100 pounds occasionally, 25 to 50 pounds frequently
- Very heavy: lifting more than 100 pounds occasionally
Comparing your level with the demands of your job shows whether you can return to full duty, need restrictions, or need a different role.
How Results Are Used
The final report describes your safe abilities, recommended restrictions, and how well you match your job's demands. It may recommend:
- Return to full duty
- Return with restrictions or modified duty
- Work conditioning or more therapy to build capacity
- Vocational retraining for a different type of work
The HolsmanFCE Approach
Holsman FCEs use a standardized protocol and a structured report built for clarity. When a person has had a prior FCE, our system compares results side by side, so physicians, case managers, and attorneys can see exactly what has changed. Our evaluations are performed by licensed physical therapists trained in our FCE protocol.
How to Do Your Best
- Give honest, consistent effort. FCEs are designed to measure your true safe abilities.
- Speak up about pain and fatigue as they happen.
- Do not try to push past what is safe to "pass" the test, and do not hold back. Either can lead to an inaccurate result.
- Get a good night's sleep beforehand.
Getting Started
We perform FCEs and treat workers' compensation injuries across New Jersey and New York, at all of our clinics, including Newark, Paterson, Kearny, and the Bronx. Referring physicians, adjusters, and attorneys can call 1-855-465-7626 or contact us to schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a functional capacity evaluation take?
Most FCEs take several hours in one day. Some are done over two days to see how your body responds to testing the next day.
Can you fail an FCE?
An FCE is not pass or fail. It measures your current safe abilities. The results describe what work you can do and any restrictions you need.
What should I wear to an FCE?
Wear comfortable clothes you can move in and supportive sneakers or work shoes. Bring any braces or devices you normally use.
Who pays for an FCE?
It is usually paid by whoever requests it, such as a workers' compensation carrier, an employer, or an attorney. Our staff can confirm payment before scheduling.
What does consistency of effort mean in an FCE?
The evaluator compares results across related tasks and repeated trials. Consistent results support the reliability of the findings. It is one part of the overall picture, not a judgment of the person.
This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for an evaluation by a licensed clinician.