According to the New Norwegian Reindeer Herding Act from 2007 (Lov om reindrift 2007-06-15-40), which regulates reindeer herding in Norway, only those who have the right to a reindeer earmark can conduct reindeer husbandry in the Sámi reindeer herding area. The right to a reindeer earmark requires that the person is a Sámi and themselves, their parents or their grandparents have or had reindeer herding as their primary occupation.

A reindeer earmark is a combination of one to many cuts in a reindeer’s ears which all together tells who the reindeer owner is. There are around 20 different approved cuts and in addition some 30 different combinations of cuts, and all those cuts and combinations have their own name. All reindeer in the Sámi reindeer husbandry area shall be marked with the owner's registered earmark by 31 October the same year as it is born. Before an earmark is implemented, it shall be approved by the earmark committee consisting of 3-5 members. After approval the earmark shall be announced.

The reindeer must also belong to a Siida unit or an equivalent Siida unit. The Reindeer Board (Reindriftsstyret) may give special permission to own reindeer in the Sámi reindeer herding area, although that the person/those persons do not meet the requirements to get hold of reindeer earmark. There is also a limited reindeer herding activity outside the Sámi reindeer herding area, in a so called Concession Area (in southern Norway), which consists of about 10 000 reindeer where both Sámi and non-Sámi are engaged in reindeer herding.

According to the Reindeer Herding act the Reindeer husbandry in Norway must be economically, ecologically and culturally viable and it will be based on Sámi culture, Sámi traditions and Sámi customary practices. The right to conduct reindeer husbandry in Norway is based on the Sámi’s immemorial claim of lands and the area where these lands are is called the Sámi reindeer herding area.

(Lov om reindrift (reindriftsloven) 2007-06-15-40, Landbruks- og matdepartementet)