Functional Capacity Evaluation: Comprehensive testing to determine the physical capacities of an individual. Testing includes documentation of consistency of effort as well as recommendations for future work ability. For injured workers, the best time to order an FCE is at or near MMI (maximum medical improvement) for injured workers to determine permanent physical capabilities. It is also used for individuals whose disability policy requires a periodic report of their capabilities. Some employers use the FCE post-placement, when they need further information of an employee's abilities before placing them on a job. Debra Lord has received 5 awards for her FCE's.
Modified FCE (sometimes called Return to Work test ): A partial FCE to determine an individual's current physical capabilities – no documentation of effort is completed unless there is a specific need determined during testing. This test may also be completed as a follow up to an invalid FCE – i.e., it is used to repeat parts of the test for which the individual may not have demonstrated maximum effort.