Physical Abilities Exam Functional Capacity Evaluation

A Physical Abilities Exam assesses an individual’s ability to perform work activities. This can be following an injury or illness or determining the individual’s ability to adequately perform the functions that the job will require. If an employee gets injured on the job, they may be required to undergo an FCE, either by the company or their attorney. Depending on the industry, some jobs require more labor strenuous activities and it’s vital that employers determine if an employee can safely perform what is being asked of them without damage to their health.

A physical abilities exam may be used to determine:

• Part of the hiring process (pre-work/post-offer employment testing)
• Rehabilitation planning
• Determining return to work status
• Workers compensation cases
• Determining disability status