Everything you need to know about Functional Abilities Evaluations

An injury or accident can sometimes prevent you from performing your professional responsibilities. You can’t just pick up where you left off—or, at least, not right away. When the time is right in your recovery to talk about getting you back to the workplace, you may be asked to complete a functional abilities evaluation.

Not sure what a functional abilities evaluation is and how it can help? We’ve got you covered.

What is a functional abilities evaluation (FAE)?

A functional abilities evaluation (FAE) or functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is a comprehensive evaluation of your physical and functional abilities, using objective and measurable tests.

The FAE can be general or specific to your job and related duties. Once the evaluation takes place, it is interpreted and presented to all concerned parties in a report or used to fill out a functional abilities form.

What’s involved in the FAE?

The FAE will examine your physical abilities using a review of your medical documentation, interview processes and objective physical testing. Following a musculoskeletal examination (a check of bone, muscle, ligament and nervous system health), a healthcare professional will lead you through functional tasks such as walking, climbing stairs, as well as gripping, lifting, pushing and pulling objects. Repetitive activities and those requiring fine motor skills are often both a part of the tests.  By simulating everyday life skills and job-specific skills, the FAE can evaluate abilities, determine risks and define impairments.

Standardized tests, questionnaires and interviews may also be used to evaluate cognitive abilities and psychosocial behaviour, in relation to traits required for your job.

The FAE will often compare your abilities with the physical demands of your specific job, by looking at your work responsibilities and environment.

Evaluators will be watching for consistency of effort and barriers throughout the process.

How long does FAE testing last?

The length of the FAE varies depending on your needs, the scope of your job requirements and the extent of your injury. Most assessments are intensive and last one to two consecutive days, with three to six hours of assessment per day. The full report is provided at a later date.

Who requests an FAE form?

Following a work injury or accident, your health insurance provider, employer, legal representative or a worker’s compensation board (WSIB, WCB, Worksafe BC etc) can request an FAE be conducted. The FAE allows objective collection of information on your abilities and limitations, and provides data interpreted for use in injury/accident compensation matters, as well as a work reintegration process.

An FAE is just one type of evaluation that may be conducted when a transition back to work following an injury is being planned.  Some other possible types of evaluations that may be requested are: 

Occupational therapy home assessment

An occupational therapist may visit your home to determine any environmental barriers and risks, and provide recommendations for home assistance.

Ergonomic assessment of a workstation

Ergonomics is the study of people's efficiency in their working environment, often focused on improving workspaces to minimize risk of injury or harm.

An ergonomic assessment of your workstation and overall work environment is often conducted with the injured worker present or by an assessor and another individual, to demonstrate or perform the required activities.

Additional resources

Try a workstation ergonomics self-assessment

What is a functional abilities form and when do I use it? More information from the WSIB