Chess Titles

I am very curious about how you obtain the different titles in chess. I know there are national titles given out by countries, like the Candidate Master, National Master and Life Master titles. Also, I know there are titles that are given out by FIDE like the FIDE Master, the International Master, and the Grandmaster Title. But how do you obtain these titles? I know for the FIDE titles you need a specific FIDE rating and need three norms, but can someone elaborate on that? Also, can someone elaborate on the qualifications to obtain national titles? Do you need any norms to obtain titles given out in the United States? Or do you just need to obtain a certain USCF rating? Especially my titled friends, I know you must know a lot about this. Any information helps. Thanks.