Unlike non-state decorations, state decorations are regulated by the state. Such regulations may specify:

• Lists of decorations which may be worn on military and civil uniform
• The manner in which decorations are to be worn
• Restrictions on the acceptance of foreign decorations by citizens

State decorations normally include one or more of the following components:

• Medals and other decorations suspended from ribbon pinned to the breast
• Women's decorations suspended from a bow worn pinned to the breast
• Neck decorations suspended from narrow ribands around the neck
• Broad ribands worn over one shoulder (on which may be suspended a decoration)
• Breast stars pinned to the lower breast