How does a Functional Capacity Evaluation work?

Your FCE should take about 2-3 hours at a physical therapist’s office selected by the adjuster. The exam is used to help determine whether you should have permanent work restrictions. It is designed to measure your physical abilities by having you perform certain activities that simulate on-the-job work. Your strength, endurance, physical demand work level, and positional tolerance will be evaluated. You may be asked to bend, twist, reach, lift, climb stairs and perform other activities to demonstrate your abilities. While your treating physician has the final authority when deciding whether to return you to work at full capacity, with restriction, or not at all, the FCE carries a lot of weight.