The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-274, “The Act”) requires federal agencies to write “clear Government communication that the public can understand and use.” Specifically, federal agencies are required to use “plain writing,” or writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows best practices.” The Act also requires the agency to post on its website a report on the agency’s compliance with the law.
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) fully complies with the Plain Writing Act of 2010.
Compliance with the Act is a priority among the NCUA’s leadership, managers, and staff. This report is provided for the 2024–2025 compliance period, completing the thirteenth annual review of the NCUA’s compliance with the act.
Agency Official for Plain Writing
Sierra F. Robinson
Director, Office of External Affairs and Communications
Questions or comments concerning the agency’s plain writing efforts may be sent to OEAC_Mail@ncua.gov. The NCUA’s plain writing webpage meets the act’s requirements for accessibility to agency implementation and compliance reports and includes:
- A link to the plainlanguage.gov website;
- Writing guidelines used by NCUA personnel; and
- Contact information for plain writing public comments.
Agency Activities
NCUA ensures compliance with the Plain Writing Act and improves the clarity and effectiveness of all external and internal communications through established editing and reviewing processes within the agency.
As shown in the chart below, all new NCUA employees and examiners are required to take plain writing courses as part of their onboarding process. Optional refresher training is also offered to employees.
| Classes | Audience | Number of Class Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Writing, 1 day (As part of STEP 7 training) | All New Examiners (mandatory) | 9 |
| The Plain Writing Act (One online module) | All new NCUA employees when they onboard (mandatory) | N/A |
| Writing for Examiners — Two-day | Experienced examiners needing a refresher on plain writing principles (optional) | 1 |
| Writing for Office Staff — Two-day | Administrative and support staff (optional) | 1 |
Additionally, in May 2025, the NCUA released an updated Style Guide to ensure consistent branding and communications across the agency. The Office of External Affairs and Communications is receiving feedback on the templates and will continue to refine internal processes and products to further improve the NCUA’s performance in plain writing.
Summary
NCUA is in full compliance with the provisions of the Plain Writing Act. All employees have taken the required Plain Writing Act course to ensure compliance and remain knowledgeable on the principles of the act. NCUA will continue to mandate the course as part of a new employee’s onboarding process and refine its newly released Style Guide.