Etat

State agencies are subordinate to one particular ministry, and appeals are made to the Minister.

Government agencies are often given names ending in directorate, inspectorate, administration (verk) or authority.

All government agencies are audited by the Office of the Auditor General of Norway.

Municipalities and counties often divide their organization into etater, with only the central administration left in the core.

There has been a tendency, especially among right-wing politicians, to convert some agencies to limited companies or state enterprises (or their county/municipal equivalent).