What Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)?
A Functional Capacity Evaluation is a standardized medical assessment that objectively measures an injured worker’s ability to perform job-related physical tasks. With 2.5 million nonfatal workplace injuries reported in the U.S. in 2024 alone (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), FCEs play a critical role in helping doctors, insurers, and employers determine when and how an injured worker can safely return to the job.
An FCE may also be called a Work Capacity Evaluation (WCE) or Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA). Regardless of the name, the purpose is the same: to provide an objective, evidence-based measurement of what a worker can and cannot physically do after an injury.
FCEs are used in several contexts beyond workers’ compensation, including Social Security disability claims, personal injury litigation, and long-term disability insurance evaluations. The U.S. Social Security Administration recognizes both physical and mental Functional Capacity Evaluations as part of the disability determination process.
What Happens During an FCE Test?
An FCE typically takes 4 to 8 hours to complete and may be split across two sessions scheduled a few days apart (Atticus, 2024). The evaluation follows a structured protocol designed to simulate real workplace demands while monitoring the worker’s physical responses throughout.
The process generally follows three stages:
1. Medical History Interview
The evaluator reviews your medical records, current symptoms, medications, and a description of your normal job duties. This establishes a baseline and helps the evaluator tailor the physical tests to your specific job requirements.
2. Physical Testing
This is the core of the FCE. The evaluator will ask you to perform a series of tasks that simulate common workplace activities, including:
- Lifting and carrying objects at various weights
- Pushing and pulling resistance
- Sitting, standing, and walking for measured durations
- Bending, crouching, kneeling, and crawling
- Climbing stairs or ladders
- Gripping and grasping with handgrip dynamometry
- Reaching overhead and at various angles
- Fine motor tasks (hand coordination)
The evaluator uses standardized equipment — including a stadiometer, handgrip dynamometer, and various weighted objects — to measure your performance against established benchmarks.
3. Effort and Consistency Assessment
Evaluators are trained to assess whether you are giving maximum effort. They use consistency checks, comparing your performance across similar tasks and watching for signs that effort levels may not match reported limitations. This is standard protocol and applies to all FCE participants.
Who Performs a Functional Capacity Evaluation?
FCEs are administered by licensed healthcare professionals who hold specialized certification in functional testing. In most states, this means either an occupational therapist (OT) or a physical therapist (PT) who has completed additional training in FCE protocols.
The evaluator does not make the final return-to-work decision. Instead, they compile a detailed report documenting your measured abilities and limitations, which is then sent to your treating physician, the insurance company, or both. Your doctor and claims examiner use this report to make decisions about your employment status and benefits.
How Much Does an FCE Cost?
The average Functional Capacity Evaluation costs $845, with prices typically ranging from $772 to $871 depending on the provider and geographic location (MDsave). The duration and complexity of the evaluation — whether it includes mental health components, for instance — can also affect cost.
You should not have to pay for an FCE out of pocket. In workers’ compensation cases, the employer or their insurance carrier is responsible for covering the cost of the evaluation (Cardamone Law). If you requested the FCE independently (not through your employer or insurer), you may be responsible for the cost, so it is important to coordinate with your attorney or claims examiner before scheduling.
When Is an FCE Test Required?
An FCE is most commonly requested near the end of your medical treatment, typically when your doctor or the insurance company believes you may have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) — the point at which further treatment is unlikely to significantly improve your condition.
An insurance company may request an FCE if:
- You have been receiving workers’ compensation benefits for an extended period
- Your doctor has cleared you to return to work but your employer wants objective confirmation
- There is a dispute about the extent of your work restrictions
- A settlement negotiation requires documentation of your functional limitations
- You are applying for permanent disability benefits
FCEs are not always required. Some workers return to work based solely on their treating physician’s assessment. However, when the job involves physically demanding tasks or when the insurer and the worker disagree on restrictions, an FCE provides an objective third-party evaluation.
How Should You Prepare for an FCE?
Preparation can help you perform accurately and reduce unnecessary stress during the evaluation. Here is what you should know before your appointment:
| Preparation Area | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Clothing | Wear comfortable, athletic-style clothing and supportive closed-toe shoes. Avoid restrictive jeans, dress shoes, or sandals. |
| Medications | Take your regular medications as prescribed. Bring a list of all current medications and dosages. |
| Documents | Bring your photo ID, insurance information, and any job description documents your attorney or employer has provided. |
| Rest | Get a full night’s sleep the night before. Arrive well-rested and hydrated. |
| Honesty | Give maximum effort on every task. Do not exaggerate or minimize your symptoms. Evaluators are trained to detect inconsistent effort. |
| Pain | If a task causes pain, tell the evaluator immediately. Communicate clearly about what hurts, where, and how severely. |
Can You Fail an FCE Test?
An FCE is not a pass-or-fail exam. It is a measurement of your current functional capacity — your physical abilities and limitations at the time of testing. There is no score to “pass.” Instead, the evaluator categorizes your abilities using the Department of Labor’s physical demand levels:
- Sedentary: Lifting up to 10 pounds occasionally
- Light: Lifting up to 20 pounds occasionally, 10 pounds frequently
- Medium: Lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally, 25 pounds frequently
- Heavy: Lifting up to 100 pounds occasionally, 50 pounds frequently
- Very Heavy: Lifting over 100 pounds occasionally, 50+ pounds frequently
Your results are then compared against the physical demands of your specific job. If the FCE shows you can perform “medium” work but your job requires “heavy” lifting, the results may support continued benefits or modified duty.
However, if the evaluator determines you are not giving consistent effort — for example, your grip strength varies significantly between tests — this may be noted in the report and could negatively affect your claim.
How Reliable Are FCE Test Results?
FCE reliability varies depending on the testing protocol used, the evaluator’s training, and the specific tasks being measured. A peer-reviewed study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found that FCE reliability ranged from moderate on 2 tests to excellent on 5 out of 12 tests evaluated (Schiphorst Preuper et al., 2013).
Several factors can reduce FCE accuracy:
- Evaluator variability: Different therapists may interpret performance differently
- Single-day testing: A single evaluation may not capture day-to-day fluctuations in pain or function
- Protocol differences: There is no single universal FCE standard — different providers use different testing systems
- Psychological factors: Anxiety, fear of re-injury, or pain catastrophizing can affect performance without reflecting true physical capacity
A 2024 study in the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation noted that technological interventions — including wearable sensors and computerized tracking — are being developed to improve FCE objectivity, but widespread adoption remains limited (Work, 2024).
What Happens After Your FCE?
After the evaluation is complete, the evaluator compiles a detailed report documenting your performance on every test, your demonstrated work capacity level, and any observed limitations. This report is typically sent to your treating physician and the insurance carrier within 1 to 2 weeks.
Your doctor then uses the FCE results, along with your medical history, to make one of several decisions:
- Full return to work: You can resume all original job duties
- Modified duty: You can return with specific restrictions (e.g., no lifting over 25 pounds)
- Continued treatment: More medical treatment or rehabilitation is needed before a return-to-work decision
- Permanent disability rating: If your limitations are permanent, the FCE results may be used to calculate a disability rating that affects your long-term benefits or settlement
Can You Challenge FCE Results?
Yes. If you believe your FCE results do not accurately reflect your physical abilities or limitations, you have the right to challenge them. Common grounds for challenging FCE results include:
- The evaluator was not properly certified or trained
- The testing conditions were inappropriate (temperature, equipment, time pressure)
- The evaluation did not account for your specific injury or pain condition
- Results contradict your treating physician’s assessment
- The evaluation was conducted on a day when your symptoms were atypically mild or severe
A workers’ compensation attorney can request an independent medical examination (IME), obtain a peer review of the FCE report, or present testimony from your treating physician that contradicts the FCE findings. In some cases, a second FCE with a different evaluator may be ordered.
How Does an FCE Affect Your Workers’ Compensation Claim?
FCE results carry significant weight in workers’ compensation proceedings. Of the 1.8 million workplace injury cases involving days away from work reported in 2023–2024 (BLS, 2025), many involve FCEs as part of the return-to-work or settlement process.
Specifically, FCE results can influence:
- Settlement amounts: Lower functional capacity ratings typically support higher settlements because they demonstrate greater long-term impairment
- Disability ratings: Permanent impairment ratings are often based in part on FCE findings
- Benefit duration: If the FCE shows you can return to work, your wage replacement benefits may be reduced or terminated
- Job placement: If you cannot return to your original position, FCE results help determine what alternative jobs you can perform
Because the stakes are high, it is advisable to consult a workers’ compensation attorney before and after your FCE to ensure your rights are protected and the results are interpreted fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an FCE test take?
A Functional Capacity Evaluation typically takes 4 to 8 hours to complete. Some evaluations are split into two sessions scheduled several days apart to allow the evaluator to assess how your body recovers after physical exertion. The duration depends on the number of tasks tested and whether mental health components are included.
Can I refuse to take an FCE?
You generally have the right to refuse an FCE, but doing so can have serious consequences for your workers’ compensation claim. Refusal may result in suspension of your benefits or may be used by the insurance company as evidence that you are not cooperating with your medical treatment plan. Consult an attorney before refusing an FCE.
Who pays for a Functional Capacity Evaluation?
In workers’ compensation cases, the employer or their insurance carrier pays for the FCE. The average cost is $845, ranging from $772 to $871 (MDsave). If you independently request an FCE outside of your workers’ comp claim, you may be responsible for the cost.
What is the difference between an FCE and an IME?
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) measures your physical abilities through standardized tasks and equipment, producing objective performance data. An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is a physician’s subjective clinical opinion about your condition and work readiness. FCEs tend to take longer (4–8 hours vs. 30–60 minutes) and are considered more objective than IMEs.
Can FCE results be used against me?
Yes. FCE results can be used by the insurance company to reduce or terminate your benefits if the evaluation shows you are capable of returning to work. This is why it is important to give maximum honest effort during the test and to have a workers’ compensation attorney review the results before any decisions are made about your claim.
For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in California, Florida, or Alaska. contact Goldberg & Loren today. Call 1-888-352-9243 or use our online form.
