A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a systematic process of assessing an individual's physical capacities and functional abilities. The FCE matches human performance levels to the demands of a specific job or work activity or occupation. The FCE establishes the physical level of work an individual can perform. The FCE is useful in determining job placement, job accommodation, or return to work after injury or illness. FCEs can provide objective information regarding functional work ability in the determination of occupational disability status. The FCE may be used:

1. To determine the individual's ability to safely return to work full time or on modified duty.
2. To determine if work restrictions, job modifications, or reasonable accommodations are necessary to prevent further injury
3. To determine the extent to which impairments exist, or the degree of physical disability for compensation purposes
4. To predict the potential ability to perform work following acute rehabilitation or a work- hardening/work- conditioning program