Independent · Objective · Comprehensive
Functional Capacity Evaluations in Charlotte, NC
Full-body and upper-extremity Functional Capacity Evaluations for attorneys, physicians, case managers, employers, and insurance professionals. Each evaluation includes individualized testing, detailed clinical observation, comprehensive written documentation, and a 24-hour post-FCE follow-up, with completed reports provided within 48 hours.
FCE Quick Facts
What your $800 FCE includes
More than the hours spent in the office
An EMPOWER FCE is not just the 4–6 hours of testing. The $800 fee includes the testing itself, clinical analysis, extensive individualized documentation, a concise summary for quick review, a next-day follow-up, and a completed report within 48 hours.
4–6 hours of one-on-one testing
The evaluation is individualized to the referral question and may include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, material handling, standing and walking tolerance, positional tolerances, endurance, range of motion, strength, grip and pinch testing, body mechanics, symptom response, and other relevant functional demands.
Approximately 3–4 page summary
The report opens with a concise summary of the most important findings — demonstrated abilities, functional limitations, material-handling capacities, physical-demand classification, key observations, and overall conclusions — so the referral source can find the main information quickly before reviewing the detailed testing.
Typically 18+ pages of detailed documentation
The rest of the report includes the history, objective measurements, individual test results, observations, and supporting data used to reach the conclusions. Report length varies with the type of FCE and the complexity of the case.
24-hour post-FCE follow-up
The day after the evaluation, EMPOWER completes a follow-up to document the individual’s reported delayed symptoms and recovery after the testing workload — information beyond how the person feels the moment the session ends.
Report completed within 48 hours
The completed report is provided within 48 hours, so the referring professional has timely access to both the summary and the supporting testing data.
What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)?
A Functional Capacity Evaluation is a systematic, objective battery of standardized tests that measures what a person can safely and reliably do physically, then compares those measured abilities to the demands of a specific job or to U.S. Department of Labor physical-demand levels (Sedentary through Very Heavy). The result is an evidence-based report used to guide return-to-work, workers’ compensation, disability, and litigation decisions. An FCE answers the functional question — what can this person physically do — and is distinct from an Impairment Rating or an Independent Medical Examination.
Why referral sources choose EMPOWER
One-on-one testing
The entire evaluation is completed individually — never in a group or high-volume testing setting.
Comprehensive reporting
Reports are individualized and typically 18+ pages, opening with a 3–4 page summary followed by the detailed testing data and observations.
24-hour follow-up
A next-day follow-up documents the individual’s reported delayed symptom response and recovery after the FCE.
48-hour turnaround
Completed reports are provided within 48 hours, keeping return-to-work plans and claims moving.
Orthopedic & upper-extremity background
Every FCE is completed by an occupational therapist holding Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist – Upper Extremity (COMT-UE) credentials, licensed in NC (#14501) and SC (#6178).
Independent findings
EMPOWER is a third-party evaluator with no treatment, employer, or insurer stake in the outcome. The report focuses on demonstrated abilities, objective measurements, observed performance, and reported symptoms, without assuming a particular return-to-work outcome.
Defensible methodology. Standardized testing, performance mapped to physical-demand levels, and performance consistency assessed across repeated measures, so reviewers can see how the conclusions were reached.
What types of FCE does EMPOWER perform?
Full Body FCE
A comprehensive evaluation of whole-body work capacity: lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing and walking tolerance, positional tolerances, and material handling. Best for general return-to-work, workers’ comp, and disability questions.
Learn about the Full Body FCE →Upper Extremity FCE
A focused evaluation of shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand function: grip strength, pinch strength, dexterity, and sensation. EMPOWER’s COMT-UE certification makes this a genuine specialty — uncommon among Charlotte FCE providers and ideal for hand, wrist, and shoulder claims.
Learn about the Upper Extremity FCE →What does an FCE measure?
Depending on the evaluation type, an FCE objectively measures and documents:
- Lifting and carrying capacity
- Pushing and pulling
- Standing, walking, and sitting tolerance
- Positional and postural tolerances
- Material handling
- Grip and pinch strength
- Fine-motor dexterity and sensation
- Performance consistency across repeated measures
Findings are mapped to the physical demands of a target job or to U.S. Department of Labor physical-demand levels.
Who refers clients for an FCE?
- Attorneys (claimant & defense)
- Physicians & surgeons
- Employers & HR / safety
- Case managers
- Insurance carriers & adjusters
Common use cases: workers’ compensation, disability determinations, return-to-work decisions, litigation support, and vocational planning.
What to expect, from referral to report
- Before the appointmentReferral information is reviewed, and any available medical records, job description, or job-demand information is incorporated when provided.
- During the appointmentThe FCE generally takes 4–6 hours in one session. Testing progresses through functional activities while performance, symptoms, body mechanics, and physiological response are documented.
- Immediately after testingPost-test symptoms, vital signs, and functional presentation are documented.
- The following dayA 24-hour post-FCE follow-up documents the individual’s reported delayed symptoms, recovery, and response to the prior day’s testing workload.
- Within 48 hoursThe referring party receives the completed written report, beginning with the summary and followed by the detailed findings and supporting data.
For the person being evaluated: wear comfortable workout clothes and closed-toe athletic shoes, and bring water and a few snacks — the day is active. The evaluation is a series of standardized physical tasks and measurements. You will be asked to work to a safe maximum, and you do not have to push through unsafe pain.
Functional Capacity Evaluation
$800Includes the complete 4–6 hour evaluation, individualized testing and clinical analysis, a comprehensive written report, an approximately 3–4 page summary, a 24-hour post-FCE follow-up, and the completed report within 48 hours.
Reports are typically 18+ pages and may vary based on the referral question, evaluation type, and complexity of the case.
Related vocational services
Beyond the FCE, EMPOWER provides vocational assessments, labor market research, and transferable skills analysis — supporting vocational planning, return-to-work, and disability determinations with the same objective, evidence-based approach.
Where does EMPOWER provide FCEs?
EMPOWER serves the greater Charlotte area, including Concord, Huntersville, Matthews, and Gastonia, across Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Gaston counties. All evaluations are performed at our Charlotte office at 1431 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204. With dual NC and SC licensure, EMPOWER can also serve cases originating in the South Carolina–adjacent Charlotte metro.
How do I refer a client for an FCE?
Referring is simple. Call or text, email, or submit a referral online. Tell us the evaluation type needed (Full Body or Upper Extremity), the case type (workers’ comp, disability, return-to-work, or litigation), and the best contact for scheduling — we’ll coordinate the appointment and deliver the completed report within 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an FCE take?
How quickly is the report completed?
How much does an FCE cost, and what does the $800 fee include?
How detailed is the report?
Why is there a 24-hour follow-up?
What is the difference between a Full Body and an Upper Extremity FCE?
Who performs the FCE?
Are the findings independent and objective?
Can an FCE be used in a workers’ comp hearing or litigation?
What should the client wear and bring?
What areas do you serve?
How do I schedule or refer a client?
Reviewed by Lauryn Bewlay, OTR/L (COMT-UE, NC #14501 / SC #6178). Last updated September 2026.
Refer a client for an independent FCE
One-on-one testing, a 24-hour follow-up, and a completed report within 48 hours.