diff --git a/CHANGELOG.rst b/CHANGELOG.rst
index 54e759d6396b..138fa106f9af 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.rst
+++ b/CHANGELOG.rst
@@ -64,7 +64,10 @@ Changed
 - `IBMQ.save_account()` now takes an `overwrite` option to replace an existing
   account on disk. Default is False (#1295).
 - Backend and Provider methods defined in the specification use model objects
-  rather than dicts, along with validation against schemas (#1249, #1277).
+  rather than dicts, along with validation against schemas (#1249, #1277). The
+  updated methods include:
+    - ``backend.status()``(#1301).
+    - ``backend.configuration()`` (and ``__init__``) (#1323).
 - ``backend.provider()`` is now a method instead of a property (#1312).
 - Remove local backend (Aer) fallback (#1303)
 
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/aer/aerprovider.py b/qiskit/backends/aer/aerprovider.py
index 1056c12f7581..3000c222e7d6 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/aer/aerprovider.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/aer/aerprovider.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def _verify_aer_backends(self):
         for backend_cls in AER_STANDARD_BACKENDS:
             try:
                 backend_instance = self._get_backend_instance(backend_cls)
-                backend_name = backend_instance.configuration()['name']
+                backend_name = backend_instance.name()
                 ret[backend_name] = backend_instance
             except QISKitError as err:
                 # Ignore backends that could not be initialized.
@@ -132,8 +132,7 @@ def _get_backend_instance(self, backend_cls):
         Returns:
             BaseBackend: a backend instance.
         Raises:
-            QISKitError: if the backend could not be instantiated or does not
-                provide a valid configuration containing a name.
+            QISKitError: if the backend could not be instantiated.
         """
         # Verify that the backend can be instantiated.
         try:
@@ -142,12 +141,6 @@ def _get_backend_instance(self, backend_cls):
             raise QISKitError('Backend %s could not be instantiated: %s' %
                               (backend_cls, err))
 
-        # Verify that the instance has a minimal valid configuration.
-        try:
-            _ = backend_instance.configuration()['name']
-        except (LookupError, TypeError):
-            raise QISKitError('Backend %s has an invalid configuration')
-
         return backend_instance
 
     def __str__(self):
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/aer/qasm_simulator.py b/qiskit/backends/aer/qasm_simulator.py
index 85cbf4df6c10..f291e2cdd5d0 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/aer/qasm_simulator.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/aer/qasm_simulator.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 
 import numpy as np
 
+from qiskit.backends.models import BackendConfiguration
 from qiskit.result._utils import copy_qasm_from_qobj_into_result, result_from_old_style_dict
 from qiskit.backends import BaseBackend
 from qiskit.backends.aer.aerjob import AerJob
@@ -46,34 +47,40 @@ class QasmSimulator(BaseBackend):
     """C++ quantum circuit simulator with realistic noise"""
 
     DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION = {
-        'name': 'qasm_simulator',
+        'backend_name': 'qasm_simulator',
+        'backend_version': '1.0.0',
+        'n_qubits': -1,
         'url': 'https://github.com/QISKit/qiskit-terra/src/qasm-simulator-cpp',
         'simulator': True,
         'local': True,
-        'description': 'A C++ realistic noise simulator for qobj files',
-        'coupling_map': 'all-to-all',
-        "basis_gates": 'u0,u1,u2,u3,cx,cz,id,x,y,z,h,s,sdg,t,tdg,rzz,' +
-                       'snapshot,wait,noise,save,load'
+        'conditional': True,
+        'open_pulse': False,
+        'description': 'A C++ realistic noise simulator for qasm experiments',
+        'basis_gates': ['u0', 'u1', 'u2', 'u3', 'cx', 'cz', 'id', 'x', 'y', 'z',
+                        'h', 's', 'sdg', 't', 'tdg', 'rzz', 'snapshot', 'wait',
+                        'noise', 'save', 'load'],
+        'gates': [{'name': 'TODO', 'parameters': [], 'qasm_def': 'TODO'}]
     }
 
     def __init__(self, configuration=None, provider=None):
-        super().__init__(configuration=configuration or self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION.copy(),
+        super().__init__(configuration=(configuration or
+                                        BackendConfiguration.from_dict(self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION)),
                          provider=provider)
 
         # Try to use the default executable if not specified.
-        if self._configuration.get('exe'):
-            paths = [self._configuration.get('exe')]
+        if 'exe' in self._configuration:
+            paths = [self._configuration.exe]
         else:
             paths = DEFAULT_SIMULATOR_PATHS
 
         # Ensure that the executable is available.
         try:
-            self._configuration['exe'] = next(
+            self._configuration.exe = next(
                 path for path in paths if (os.path.exists(path) and
                                            os.path.getsize(path) > 100))
         except StopIteration:
             raise FileNotFoundError('Simulator executable not found (using %s)' %
-                                    self._configuration.get('exe', 'default locations'))
+                                    getattr(self._configuration, 'exe', 'default locations'))
 
     def run(self, qobj):
         """Run a qobj on the backend."""
@@ -84,7 +91,7 @@ def run(self, qobj):
 
     def _run_job(self, job_id, qobj):
         self._validate(qobj)
-        result = run(qobj, self._configuration['exe'])
+        result = run(qobj, self._configuration.exe)
         result['job_id'] = job_id
         copy_qasm_from_qobj_into_result(qobj, result)
 
@@ -104,33 +111,39 @@ class CliffordSimulator(BaseBackend):
     """"C++ Clifford circuit simulator with realistic noise."""
 
     DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION = {
-        'name': 'clifford_simulator',
-        'url': 'https://github.com/QISKit/qiskit-terra/src/qasm-simulator',
+        'backend_name': 'clifford_simulator',
+        'backend_version': '1.0.0',
+        'n_qubits': -1,
+        'url': 'https://github.com/QISKit/qiskit-terra/src/qasm-simulator-cpp',
         'simulator': True,
         'local': True,
+        'conditional': True,
+        'open_pulse': False,
         'description': 'A C++ Clifford simulator with approximate noise',
-        'coupling_map': 'all-to-all',
-        'basis_gates': 'cx,id,x,y,z,h,s,sdg,snapshot,wait,noise,save,load'
+        'basis_gates': ['cx', 'id', 'x', 'y', 'z', 'h', 's', 'sdg', 'snapshot',
+                        'wait', 'noise', 'save', 'load'],
+        'gates': [{'name': 'TODO', 'parameters': [], 'qasm_def': 'TODO'}]
     }
 
     def __init__(self, configuration=None, provider=None):
-        super().__init__(configuration=configuration or self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION.copy(),
+        super().__init__(configuration=(configuration or
+                                        BackendConfiguration.from_dict(self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION)),
                          provider=provider)
 
         # Try to use the default executable if not specified.
-        if self._configuration.get('exe'):
-            paths = [self._configuration.get('exe')]
+        if 'exe' in self._configuration:
+            paths = [self._configuration.exe]
         else:
             paths = DEFAULT_SIMULATOR_PATHS
 
         # Ensure that the executable is available.
         try:
-            self._configuration['exe'] = next(
+            self._configuration.exe = next(
                 path for path in paths if (os.path.exists(path) and
                                            os.path.getsize(path) > 100))
         except StopIteration:
             raise FileNotFoundError('Simulator executable not found (using %s)' %
-                                    self._configuration.get('exe', 'default locations'))
+                                    getattr(self._configuration, 'exe', 'default locations'))
 
     def run(self, qobj):
         """Run a Qobj on the backend.
@@ -159,7 +172,7 @@ def _run_job(self, job_id, qobj):
             qobj_dict['config'] = {'simulator': 'clifford'}
 
         qobj = Qobj.from_dict(qobj_dict)
-        result = run(qobj, self._configuration['exe'])
+        result = run(qobj, self._configuration.exe)
         result['job_id'] = job_id
 
         return result_from_old_style_dict(
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/aer/qasm_simulator_py.py b/qiskit/backends/aer/qasm_simulator_py.py
index 37e52673141b..19ff6c9aff1f 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/aer/qasm_simulator_py.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/aer/qasm_simulator_py.py
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@
 
 import numpy as np
 
+from qiskit.backends.models import BackendConfiguration
 from qiskit.result._utils import copy_qasm_from_qobj_into_result, result_from_old_style_dict
 from qiskit.backends import BaseBackend
 from qiskit.backends.aer.aerjob import AerJob
@@ -90,17 +91,22 @@ class QasmSimulatorPy(BaseBackend):
     """Python implementation of a qasm simulator."""
 
     DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION = {
-        'name': 'qasm_simulator_py',
+        'backend_name': 'qasm_simulator_py',
+        'backend_version': '2.0.0',
+        'n_qubits': -1,
         'url': 'https://github.com/QISKit/qiskit-terra',
         'simulator': True,
         'local': True,
-        'description': 'A python simulator for qasm files',
-        'coupling_map': 'all-to-all',
-        'basis_gates': 'u1,u2,u3,cx,id,snapshot'
+        'conditional': True,
+        'open_pulse': False,
+        'description': 'A python simulator for qasm experiments',
+        'basis_gates': ['u1', 'u2', 'u3', 'cx', 'id', 'snapshot'],
+        'gates': [{'name': 'TODO', 'parameters': [], 'qasm_def': 'TODO'}]
     }
 
     def __init__(self, configuration=None, provider=None):
-        super().__init__(configuration=configuration or self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION.copy(),
+        super().__init__(configuration=(configuration or
+                                        BackendConfiguration.from_dict(self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION)),
                          provider=provider)
 
         self._local_random = random.Random()
@@ -243,7 +249,7 @@ def _run_job(self, job_id, qobj):
         for circuit in qobj.experiments:
             result_list.append(self.run_circuit(circuit))
         end = time.time()
-        result = {'backend': self._configuration['name'],
+        result = {'backend': self.name(),
                   'id': qobj.qobj_id,
                   'job_id': job_id,
                   'result': result_list,
@@ -342,7 +348,7 @@ def run_circuit(self, circuit):
                     params = operation.params
                     self._add_qasm_snapshot(params[0])
                 else:
-                    backend = self._configuration['name']
+                    backend = self.name()
                     err_msg = '{0} encountered unrecognized operation "{1}"'
                     raise SimulatorError(err_msg.format(backend,
                                                         operation.name))
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/aer/statevector_simulator.py b/qiskit/backends/aer/statevector_simulator.py
index c9c781fc04c0..6f3572acff0c 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/aer/statevector_simulator.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/aer/statevector_simulator.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 import logging
 import uuid
 
+from qiskit.backends.models import BackendConfiguration
 from qiskit.qobj import QobjInstruction
 from .qasm_simulator import QasmSimulator
 from ._simulatorerror import SimulatorError
@@ -26,17 +27,24 @@ class StatevectorSimulator(QasmSimulator):
     """C++ statevector simulator"""
 
     DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION = {
-        'name': 'statevector_simulator',
+        'backend_name': 'statevector_simulator',
+        'backend_version': '1.0.0',
+        'n_qubits': -1,
         'url': 'https://github.com/QISKit/qiskit-terra/src/qasm-simulator-cpp',
         'simulator': True,
         'local': True,
-        'description': 'A C++ statevector simulator for qobj files',
-        'coupling_map': 'all-to-all',
-        'basis_gates': 'u1,u2,u3,cx,cz,id,x,y,z,h,s,sdg,t,tdg,rzz,load,save,snapshot'
+        'conditional': False,
+        'open_pulse': False,
+        'description': 'A single-shot C++ statevector simulator for the |0> state evolution',
+        'basis_gates': ['u1', 'u2', 'u3', 'cx', 'cz', 'id', 'x', 'y', 'z', 'h',
+                        's', 'sdg', 't', 'tdg', 'rzz', 'load', 'save',
+                        'snapshot'],
+        'gates': [{'name': 'TODO', 'parameters': [], 'qasm_def': 'TODO'}]
     }
 
     def __init__(self, configuration=None, provider=None):
-        super().__init__(configuration=configuration or self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION.copy(),
+        super().__init__(configuration=(configuration or
+                                        BackendConfiguration.from_dict(self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION)),
                          provider=provider)
 
     def run(self, qobj):
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/aer/statevector_simulator_py.py b/qiskit/backends/aer/statevector_simulator_py.py
index e04396c6d230..435dbb891aef 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/aer/statevector_simulator_py.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/aer/statevector_simulator_py.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 
 from qiskit.backends.aer.aerjob import AerJob
 from qiskit.backends.aer._simulatorerror import SimulatorError
+from qiskit.backends.models import BackendConfiguration
 from qiskit.qobj import QobjInstruction
 from .qasm_simulator_py import QasmSimulatorPy
 
@@ -33,17 +34,22 @@ class StatevectorSimulatorPy(QasmSimulatorPy):
     """Python statevector simulator."""
 
     DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION = {
-        'name': 'statevector_simulator_py',
+        'backend_name': 'statevector_simulator_py',
+        'backend_version': '1.0.0',
+        'n_qubits': -1,
         'url': 'https://github.com/QISKit/qiskit-terra',
         'simulator': True,
         'local': True,
+        'conditional': False,
+        'open_pulse': False,
         'description': 'A Python statevector simulator for qobj files',
-        'coupling_map': 'all-to-all',
-        'basis_gates': 'u1,u2,u3,cx,id,snapshot'
+        'basis_gates': ['u1', 'u2', 'u3', 'cx', 'id', 'snapshot'],
+        'gates': [{'name': 'TODO', 'parameters': [], 'qasm_def': 'TODO'}]
     }
 
     def __init__(self, configuration=None, provider=None):
-        super().__init__(configuration=configuration or self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION.copy(),
+        super().__init__(configuration=(configuration or
+                                        BackendConfiguration.from_dict(self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION)),
                          provider=provider)
 
     def run(self, qobj):
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/aer/unitary_simulator_py.py b/qiskit/backends/aer/unitary_simulator_py.py
index 2e0390959d3d..079d59213565 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/aer/unitary_simulator_py.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/aer/unitary_simulator_py.py
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@
 
 import numpy as np
 
+from qiskit.backends.models import BackendConfiguration
 from qiskit.result._utils import copy_qasm_from_qobj_into_result, result_from_old_style_dict
 from qiskit.backends import BaseBackend
 from qiskit.backends.aer.aerjob import AerJob
@@ -103,17 +104,22 @@ class UnitarySimulatorPy(BaseBackend):
     """Python implementation of a unitary simulator."""
 
     DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION = {
-        'name': 'unitary_simulator_py',
+        'backend_name': 'unitary_simulator_py',
+        'backend_version': '1.0.0',
+        'n_qubits': -1,
         'url': 'https://github.com/QISKit/qiskit-terra',
         'simulator': True,
         'local': True,
-        'description': 'A python simulator for unitary matrix',
-        'coupling_map': 'all-to-all',
-        'basis_gates': 'u1,u2,u3,cx,id'
+        'conditional': False,
+        'open_pulse': False,
+        'description': 'A python simulator for unitary matrix corresponding to a circuit',
+        'basis_gates': ['u1', 'u2', 'u3', 'cx', 'id'],
+        'gates': [{'name': 'TODO', 'parameters': [], 'qasm_def': 'TODO'}]
     }
 
     def __init__(self, configuration=None, provider=None):
-        super().__init__(configuration=configuration or self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION.copy(),
+        super().__init__(configuration=(configuration or
+                                        BackendConfiguration.from_dict(self.DEFAULT_CONFIGURATION)),
                          provider=provider)
 
         # Define attributes inside __init__.
@@ -189,7 +195,7 @@ def _run_job(self, job_id, qobj):
         for circuit in qobj.experiments:
             result_list.append(self.run_circuit(circuit))
         end = time.time()
-        result = {'backend': self._configuration['name'],
+        result = {'backend': self.name(),
                   'id': qobj.qobj_id,
                   'job_id': job_id,
                   'result': result_list,
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/basebackend.py b/qiskit/backends/basebackend.py
index 5fb4982923a4..e61ca5f27301 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/basebackend.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/basebackend.py
@@ -28,15 +28,13 @@ def __init__(self, configuration, provider=None):
         not available.
 
         Args:
-            configuration (dict): configuration dictionary
+            configuration (BackendConfiguration): backend configuration
             provider (BaseProvider): provider responsible for this backend
 
         Raises:
             FileNotFoundError if backend executable is not available.
             QISKitError: if there is no name in the configuration
         """
-        if 'name' not in configuration:
-            raise qiskit.QISKitError('backend does not have a name.')
         self._configuration = configuration
         self._provider = provider
 
@@ -46,7 +44,11 @@ def run(self, qobj):
         pass
 
     def configuration(self):
-        """Return backend configuration"""
+        """Return the backend configuration.
+
+        Returns:
+            BackendConfiguration: the configuration fot the backend.
+        """
         return self._configuration
 
     def properties(self):
@@ -57,7 +59,7 @@ def provider(self):
         """Return the backend Provider.
 
         Returns:
-            BaseProvider: the Provider responsible for this backend.
+            BaseProvider: the Provider responsible for the backend.
         """
         return self._provider
 
@@ -74,8 +76,12 @@ def status(self):
                              status_msg='')
 
     def name(self):
-        """Return backend name"""
-        return self._configuration['name']
+        """Return backend name.
+
+        Returns:
+            str: the name of the backend.
+        """
+        return self._configuration.backend_name
 
     def __str__(self):
         return self.name()
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/ibmq/api/ibmqconnector.py b/qiskit/backends/ibmq/api/ibmqconnector.py
index 231e4e8f8bda..edc209e807cc 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/ibmq/api/ibmqconnector.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/ibmq/api/ibmqconnector.py
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 import requests
 from requests_ntlm import HttpNtlmAuth
 
+from qiskit._util import _camel_case_to_snake_case
+
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 CLIENT_APPLICATION = 'qiskit-api-py'
 
@@ -508,7 +510,7 @@ def _check_backend(self, backend, endpoint):
         # Check for new-style backends
         backends = self.available_backends()
         for backend_ in backends:
-            if backend_['name'] == original_backend:
+            if backend_['backend_name'] == original_backend:
                 return original_backend
         # backend unrecognized
         return None
@@ -802,15 +804,48 @@ def available_backends(self, hub=None, group=None, project=None,
             self.req.credential.set_user_id(user_id)
         if not self.check_credentials():
             raise CredentialsError('credentials invalid')
-        else:
 
-            url = get_backend_url(self.config, hub, group, project)
+        url = get_backend_url(self.config, hub, group, project)
+
+        response = self.req.get(url)
+        if (response is not None) and (isinstance(response, dict)):
+            return []
+
+        # Pre-process configurations in order to make them schema-conformant.
+        # TODO: this should be removed once devices return the proper format.
+        ret = []
+        for original_config in response:
+            if original_config.get('status', 'off') != 'on':
+                continue
+
+            config = {}
+
+            # Convert camelCase to snake_case.
+            for key in original_config.keys():
+                new_key = _camel_case_to_snake_case(key)
+                if new_key not in ['id', 'serial_number', 'topology_id',
+                                   'status']:
+                    config[new_key] = original_config[key]
+
+            # Empty and non-schema conformat versions.
+            if not re.match(r'[0-9]+.[0-9]+.[0-9]+', config.get('version', '')):
+                config['version'] = '0.0.0'
+            # Coupling map for simulators.
+            if config.get('coupling_map', None) == 'all-to-all':
+                config.pop('coupling_map')
+            # Other fields.
+            config['basis_gates'] = config['basis_gates'].split(',')
+            config['local'] = config.get('local', False)
+            config['open_pulse'] = config.get('open_pulse', False)
+            config['conditional'] = config.get('conditional', True)
+            config['backend_name'] = config.pop('name')
+            config['backend_version'] = config.pop('version')
+            config['gates'] = [{'name': 'TODO', 'parameters': [], 'qasm_def': 'TODO'}]
+
+            # Append to returned list.
+            ret.append(config)
 
-            ret = self.req.get(url)
-            if (ret is not None) and (isinstance(ret, dict)):
-                return []
-            return [backend for backend in ret
-                    if backend.get('status') == 'on']
+        return ret
 
     def api_version(self):
         """
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqbackend.py b/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqbackend.py
index 2b251c6ceeae..9af530b38ca0 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqbackend.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqbackend.py
@@ -32,24 +32,15 @@ def __init__(self, configuration, provider, credentials, api):
         """Initialize remote backend for IBM Quantum Experience.
 
         Args:
-            configuration (dict): configuration of backend.
+            configuration (BackendConfiguration): configuration of backend.
             provider (IBMQProvider): provider.
             credentials (Credentials): credentials.
             api (IBMQConnector):
                 api for communicating with the Quantum Experience.
         """
         super().__init__(provider=provider, configuration=configuration)
-        self._api = api
-        if self._configuration:
-            configuration_edit = {}
-            for key, vals in self._configuration.items():
-                new_key = _camel_case_to_snake_case(key)
-                configuration_edit[new_key] = vals
-            self._configuration = configuration_edit
-            # FIXME: This is a hack to make sure that the
-            # local : False is added to the online device
-            self._configuration['local'] = False
 
+        self._api = api
         self._credentials = credentials
         self.hub = credentials.hub
         self.group = credentials.group
@@ -65,7 +56,8 @@ def run(self, qobj):
             IBMQJob: an instance derived from BaseJob
         """
         job_class = _job_class_from_backend_support(self)
-        job = job_class(self, None, self._api, not self.configuration()['simulator'], qobj=qobj)
+        job = job_class(self, None, self._api,
+                        not self.configuration().simulator, qobj=qobj)
         job.submit()
         return job
 
@@ -146,7 +138,7 @@ def jobs(self, limit=50, skip=0, status=None, db_filter=None):
         Raises:
             IBMQBackendValueError: status keyword value unrecognized
         """
-        backend_name = self.configuration()['name']
+        backend_name = self.name()
         api_filter = {'backend.name': backend_name}
         if status:
             if isinstance(status, str):
@@ -175,7 +167,7 @@ def jobs(self, limit=50, skip=0, status=None, db_filter=None):
         job_list = []
         for job_info in job_info_list:
             job_class = _job_class_from_job_response(job_info)
-            is_device = not bool(self._configuration.get('simulator'))
+            is_device = not bool(self.configuration().simulator)
             job = job_class(self, job_info.get('id'), self._api, is_device,
                             creation_date=job_info.get('creationDate'),
                             api_status=job_info.get('status'))
@@ -203,7 +195,7 @@ def retrieve_job(self, job_id):
             raise IBMQBackendError('Failed to get job "{}":{}'
                                    .format(job_id, str(ex)))
         job_class = _job_class_from_job_response(job_info)
-        is_device = not bool(self._configuration.get('simulator'))
+        is_device = not bool(self.configuration().simulator)
         job = job_class(self, job_info.get('id'), self._api, is_device,
                         creation_date=job_info.get('creationDate'),
                         api_status=job_info.get('status'))
@@ -234,5 +226,5 @@ def _job_class_from_job_response(job_response):
 
 
 def _job_class_from_backend_support(backend):
-    support_qobj = backend.configuration().get('allow_q_object')
+    support_qobj = getattr(backend.configuration(), 'allow_q_object', False)
     return IBMQJob if support_qobj else IBMQJobPreQobj
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqsingleprovider.py b/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqsingleprovider.py
index 462c6ec7640b..c0bf60cd8a53 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqsingleprovider.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqsingleprovider.py
@@ -9,9 +9,8 @@
 
 from collections import OrderedDict
 
-
-from qiskit._util import _camel_case_to_snake_case
 from qiskit.backends import BaseProvider
+from qiskit.backends.models import BackendConfiguration
 from qiskit.backends.providerutils import filter_backends
 
 from .api import IBMQConnector
@@ -45,7 +44,7 @@ def backends(self, name=None, filters=None, **kwargs):
         backends = self._backends.values()
 
         if name:
-            kwargs['name'] = name
+            kwargs['backend_name'] = name
 
         return filter_backends(backends, filters=filters, **kwargs)
 
@@ -78,28 +77,6 @@ def _authenticate(cls, credentials):
             raise ConnectionError("Couldn't connect to IBMQ server: {0}"
                                   .format(ex)) from root_exception
 
-    @classmethod
-    def _parse_backend_configuration(cls, config):
-        """Parse a backend configuration returned by IBMQ.
-
-        Args:
-            config (dict): raw configuration as returned by IBMQ.
-
-        Returns:
-            dict: parsed configuration.
-        """
-        edited_config = {
-            'local': False
-        }
-
-        for key in config.keys():
-            new_key = _camel_case_to_snake_case(key)
-            if new_key not in ['id', 'serial_number', 'topology_id',
-                               'status']:
-                edited_config[new_key] = config[key]
-
-        return edited_config
-
     def _discover_remote_backends(self):
         """Return the remote backends available.
 
@@ -110,11 +87,11 @@ def _discover_remote_backends(self):
         ret = OrderedDict()
         configs_list = self._api.available_backends()
         for raw_config in configs_list:
-            config = self._parse_backend_configuration(raw_config)
-            ret[config['name']] = IBMQBackend(configuration=config,
-                                              provider=self._ibm_provider,
-                                              credentials=self.credentials,
-                                              api=self._api)
+            config = BackendConfiguration.from_dict(raw_config)
+            ret[config.backend_name] = IBMQBackend(configuration=config,
+                                                   provider=self._ibm_provider,
+                                                   credentials=self.credentials,
+                                                   api=self._api)
 
         return ret
 
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/models/backendconfiguration.py b/qiskit/backends/models/backendconfiguration.py
index 7233d21cd843..66d82299462f 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/models/backendconfiguration.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/models/backendconfiguration.py
@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@ class BackendConfigurationSchema(BaseSchema):
                        validate=Or([Equal(-1), Range(min=1)]))
     basis_gates = List(String(), required=True,
                        validate=Length(min=1))
-    gates = Nested(GateConfigSchema, required=True, many=True)
+    gates = Nested(GateConfigSchema, required=True, many=True,
+                   validate=Length(min=1))
     local = Boolean(required=True)
     simulator = Boolean(required=True)
     conditional = Boolean(required=True)
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/providerutils.py b/qiskit/backends/providerutils.py
index ba337e450912..629061eff28b 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/providerutils.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/providerutils.py
@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@ def filter_backends(backends, filters=None, **kwargs):
         list[BaseBackend]: a list of backend instances matching the
             conditions.
     """
-    def _match_all(dict_, criteria):
-        """Return True if all items in criteria matches items in dict_."""
-        return all(dict_.get(key_) == value_ for
+    def _match_all(obj, criteria):
+        """Return True if all items in criteria matches items in obj."""
+        return all(getattr(obj, key_, None) == value_ for
                    key_, value_ in criteria.items())
 
     # Inspect the backends to decide which filters belong to
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def _match_all(dict_, criteria):
     # each backend).
     if status_filters:
         backends = [b for b in backends if
-                    _match_all(b.status().to_dict(), status_filters)]
+                    _match_all(b.status(), status_filters)]
 
     # 3. Apply acceptor filter.
     backends = list(filter(filters, backends))
diff --git a/qiskit/transpiler/_transpiler.py b/qiskit/transpiler/_transpiler.py
index de063ee3573f..1e96ad42a507 100644
--- a/qiskit/transpiler/_transpiler.py
+++ b/qiskit/transpiler/_transpiler.py
@@ -55,13 +55,13 @@ def transpile(circuits, backend, basis_gates=None, coupling_map=None, initial_la
     # 1. do all circuits have same coupling map?
     # 2. do all circuit have the same basis set?
     # 3. do they all have same registers etc?
-    backend_conf = backend.configuration()
     # Check for valid parameters for the experiments.
     if hpc is not None and \
             not all(key in hpc for key in ('multi_shot_optimization', 'omp_num_threads')):
         raise TranspilerError('Unknown HPC parameter format!')
-    basis_gates = basis_gates or backend_conf['basis_gates']
-    coupling_map = coupling_map or backend_conf['coupling_map']
+    basis_gates = basis_gates or ','.join(backend.configuration().basis_gates)
+    coupling_map = coupling_map or getattr(backend.configuration(),
+                                           'coupling_map', None)
 
     # step 1: Making the list of dag circuits
     dags = _circuits_2_dags(circuits)
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def transpile(circuits, backend, basis_gates=None, coupling_map=None, initial_la
     # TODO: move this inside mapper pass.
     initial_layouts = []
     for dag in dags:
-        if (initial_layout is None and not backend.configuration()['simulator']
+        if (initial_layout is None and not backend.configuration().simulator
                 and not _matches_coupling_map(dag, coupling_map)):
             _initial_layout = _pick_best_layout(dag, backend)
         initial_layouts.append(_initial_layout)
@@ -313,11 +313,11 @@ def _best_subset(backend, n_qubits):
     elif n_qubits <= 0:
         raise QISKitError('Number of qubits <= 0.')
 
-    device_qubits = backend.configuration()['n_qubits']
+    device_qubits = backend.configuration().n_qubits
     if n_qubits > device_qubits:
         raise QISKitError('Number of qubits greater than device.')
 
-    cmap = np.asarray(backend.configuration()['coupling_map'])
+    cmap = np.asarray(getattr(backend.configuration(), 'coupling_map', None))
     data = np.ones_like(cmap[:, 0])
     sp_cmap = sp.coo_matrix((data, (cmap[:, 0], cmap[:, 1])),
                             shape=(device_qubits, device_qubits)).tocsr()
diff --git a/qiskit/validation/base.py b/qiskit/validation/base.py
index 72c21b25feb2..0c1fcb9b6e4f 100644
--- a/qiskit/validation/base.py
+++ b/qiskit/validation/base.py
@@ -323,6 +323,14 @@ def __reduce__(self):
         """
         return _base_model_from_kwargs, (self.__class__, self.__dict__)
 
+    def __contains__(self, item):
+        """Custom implementation of membership test.
+
+        Implement the ``__contains__`` method for catering to the common case
+        of finding out if a model contains a certain key (``key in model``).
+        """
+        return item in self.__dict__
+
 
 class ObjSchema(BaseSchema):
     """Generic object schema."""
diff --git a/test/performance/vqe.py b/test/performance/vqe.py
index 4eaceb3560b3..f145912ac554 100644
--- a/test/performance/vqe.py
+++ b/test/performance/vqe.py
@@ -74,7 +74,8 @@ def vqe(molecule='H2', depth=6, max_trials=200, shots=1):
     if 'statevector' not in device:
         H = group_paulis(pauli_list)
 
-    entangler_map = get_backend(device).configuration()['coupling_map']
+    entangler_map = getattr(get_backend(device).configuration(),
+                            'coupling_map', 'all-to-all')
 
     if entangler_map == 'all-to-all':
         entangler_map = {i: [j for j in range(n_qubits) if j != i] for i in range(n_qubits)}
diff --git a/test/python/aer/test_simulator_interfaces.py b/test/python/aer/test_simulator_interfaces.py
index 111122cc452a..783fdb31887c 100644
--- a/test/python/aer/test_simulator_interfaces.py
+++ b/test/python/aer/test_simulator_interfaces.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ def test_qasm_reset_measure(self):
         result_py = execute(circuit, sim_py, shots=shots, seed=1).result()
         counts_cpp = result_cpp.get_counts()
         counts_py = result_py.get_counts()
-        self.assertDictAlmostEqual(counts_cpp, counts_py, shots * 0.042)
+        self.assertDictAlmostEqual(counts_cpp, counts_py, shots * 0.06)
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
diff --git a/test/python/aer/test_statevector_simulator.py b/test/python/aer/test_statevector_simulator.py
index 9888712e2942..1f8f6aa064dd 100644
--- a/test/python/aer/test_statevector_simulator.py
+++ b/test/python/aer/test_statevector_simulator.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 # pylint: disable=missing-docstring,broad-except
 
 import unittest
-from qiskit import execute, load_qasm_file
+from qiskit import execute, QuantumCircuit
 from qiskit import Aer
 from ..common import QiskitTestCase, requires_cpp_simulator
 
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class StatevectorSimulatorTest(QiskitTestCase):
 
     def setUp(self):
         self.qasm_filename = self._get_resource_path('qasm/simple.qasm')
-        self.q_circuit = load_qasm_file(self.qasm_filename, name='example')
+        self.q_circuit = QuantumCircuit.from_qasm_file(self.qasm_filename)
 
     def test_statevector_simulator(self):
         """Test final state vector for single circuit run."""
diff --git a/test/python/common.py b/test/python/common.py
index 8c2370145cd6..064551df092c 100644
--- a/test/python/common.py
+++ b/test/python/common.py
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@
 from ._test_options import get_test_options
 
 
+# Allows shorter stack trace for .assertDictAlmostEqual
+__unittest = True  # pylint: disable=invalid-name
+
+
 class Path(Enum):
     """Helper with paths commonly used during the tests."""
     # Main SDK path:    qiskit/
diff --git a/test/python/ibmq/test_ibmq_qobj.py b/test/python/ibmq/test_ibmq_qobj.py
index 196f23dcf33f..4e3867edec5a 100644
--- a/test/python/ibmq/test_ibmq_qobj.py
+++ b/test/python/ibmq/test_ibmq_qobj.py
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ def test_operational(self):
     def test_allow_qobj(self):
         """Test if backend support Qobj.
         """
-        self.assertTrue(self._remote_backend.configuration()['allow_q_object'])
+        self.assertTrue(getattr(self._remote_backend.configuration(),
+                                'allow_q_object', False))
 
     @slow_test
     @requires_qe_access
diff --git a/test/python/test_backends.py b/test/python/test_backends.py
index 258ed0f52f6f..164165c0cdd5 100644
--- a/test/python/test_backends.py
+++ b/test/python/test_backends.py
@@ -102,15 +102,15 @@ def test_aer_backend_configuration(self):
 
         If all correct should pass the validation.
         """
+        schema_path = self._get_resource_path(
+            'backend_configuration_schema.json', path=Path.SCHEMAS)
+        with open(schema_path, 'r') as schema_file:
+            schema = json.load(schema_file)
+
         aer_backends = Aer.backends()
         for backend in aer_backends:
             configuration = backend.configuration()
-            schema_path = self._get_resource_path(
-                'deprecated/backends/backend_configuration_schema_old_py.json',
-                path=Path.SCHEMAS)
-            with open(schema_path, 'r') as schema_file:
-                schema = json.load(schema_file)
-            jsonschema.validate(configuration, schema)
+            jsonschema.validate(configuration.to_dict(), schema)
 
     @requires_qe_access
     def test_remote_backend_configuration(self, qe_token, qe_url):
@@ -118,15 +118,16 @@ def test_remote_backend_configuration(self, qe_token, qe_url):
 
         If all correct should pass the validation.
         """
+        schema_path = self._get_resource_path(
+            'backend_configuration_schema.json', path=Path.SCHEMAS)
+        with open(schema_path, 'r') as schema_file:
+            schema = json.load(schema_file)
+
         IBMQ.enable_account(qe_token, qe_url)
-        remotes = IBMQ.backends(simulator=False)
+        remotes = IBMQ.backends()
         for backend in remotes:
             configuration = backend.configuration()
-            schema_path = self._get_resource_path(
-                'deprecated/backends/backend_configuration_schema_old_py.json', path=Path.SCHEMAS)
-            with open(schema_path, 'r') as schema_file:
-                schema = json.load(schema_file)
-            jsonschema.validate(configuration, schema)
+            jsonschema.validate(configuration.to_dict(), schema)
 
     def test_aer_backend_properties(self):
         """Test backend properties.
@@ -153,7 +154,7 @@ def test_remote_backend_properties(self, qe_token, qe_url):
             properties = backend.properties()
             # FIXME test against schema and decide what properties
             # is for a simulator
-            if backend.configuration()['simulator']:
+            if backend.configuration().simulator:
                 self.assertEqual(len(properties), 0)
             else:
                 self.assertTrue(all(key in properties for key in (
diff --git a/test/python/test_compiler.py b/test/python/test_compiler.py
index eafa7ad27c52..7fb9509c3a4c 100644
--- a/test/python/test_compiler.py
+++ b/test/python/test_compiler.py
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 from qiskit import transpiler
 from qiskit import compile
 from qiskit import Result
+from qiskit.backends.models import BackendConfiguration
+from qiskit.backends.models.backendconfiguration import GateConfig
 from qiskit.dagcircuit import DAGCircuit
 from qiskit import execute
 from qiskit._qiskiterror import QISKitError
@@ -38,11 +40,18 @@ def configuration(self):
                     [6, 7], [6, 11], [7, 10], [8, 7], [9, 8], [9, 10], [11, 10],
                     [12, 5], [12, 11], [12, 13], [13, 4], [13, 14], [15, 0],
                     [15, 2], [15, 14]]
-        return {
-            'name': 'fake', 'basis_gates': 'u1,u2,u3,cx,id',
-            'simulator': False, 'n_qubits': 16,
-            'coupling_map': qx5_cmap
-        }
+        return BackendConfiguration(
+            backend_name='fake',
+            backend_version='0.0.0',
+            n_qubits=16,
+            basis_gates=['u1', 'u2', 'u3', 'cx', 'id'],
+            simulator=False,
+            local=True,
+            conditional=False,
+            open_pulse=False,
+            gates=[GateConfig(name='TODO', parameters=[], qasm_def='TODO')],
+            coupling_map=qx5_cmap,
+        )
 
 
 class TestCompiler(QiskitTestCase):
@@ -390,7 +399,7 @@ def test_mapping_already_satisfied(self):
         compiled_ops = qobj.experiments[0].instructions
         for operation in compiled_ops:
             if operation.name == 'cx':
-                self.assertIn(operation.qubits, backend.configuration()['coupling_map'])
+                self.assertIn(operation.qubits, backend.configuration().coupling_map)
 
     def test_compile_circuits_diff_registers(self):
         """Compile list of circuits with different qreg names.
diff --git a/test/python/test_filter_backends.py b/test/python/test_filter_backends.py
index 76c78e29f1d1..5a3b39631d77 100644
--- a/test/python/test_filter_backends.py
+++ b/test/python/test_filter_backends.py
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ def test_filter_config_callable(self, qe_token, qe_url):
         """Test filtering by lambda function on configuration properties"""
         IBMQ.enable_account(qe_token, qe_url)
         filtered_backends = IBMQ.backends(
-            filters=lambda x: (not x.configuration()['simulator']
-                               and x.configuration()['n_qubits'] > 5))
+            filters=lambda x: (not x.configuration().simulator
+                               and x.configuration().n_qubits > 5))
         self.assertTrue(filtered_backends)
 
     @requires_qe_access
diff --git a/test/python/test_mapper.py b/test/python/test_mapper.py
index deaabc56e47a..a1ae0265fdb6 100644
--- a/test/python/test_mapper.py
+++ b/test/python/test_mapper.py
@@ -12,8 +12,10 @@
 import unittest
 
 import qiskit.wrapper
-from qiskit import compile
-from qiskit import load_qasm_string, mapper, qasm, unroll, Aer
+from qiskit import compile, QuantumCircuit
+from qiskit import mapper, qasm, unroll, Aer
+from qiskit.backends.models import BackendConfiguration
+from qiskit.backends.models.backendconfiguration import GateConfig
 from qiskit.qobj import Qobj
 from qiskit.transpiler._transpiler import transpile_dag
 from qiskit.dagcircuit._dagcircuit import DAGCircuit
@@ -32,11 +34,19 @@ def name(self):
 
     def configuration(self):
         qx4_cmap = [[1, 0], [2, 0], [2, 1], [3, 2], [3, 4], [4, 2]]
-        return {
-            'name': 'fake_qx4', 'basis_gates': 'u1,u2,u3,cx,id',
-            'simulator': False, 'n_qubits': 5,
-            'coupling_map': qx4_cmap
-        }
+
+        return BackendConfiguration(
+            backend_name='fake_qx4',
+            backend_version='0.0.0',
+            n_qubits=5,
+            basis_gates=['u1', 'u2', 'u3', 'cx', 'id'],
+            simulator=False,
+            local=True,
+            conditional=False,
+            open_pulse=False,
+            gates=[GateConfig(name='TODO', parameters=[], qasm_def='TODO')],
+            coupling_map=qx4_cmap,
+        )
 
 
 class FakeQX5BackEnd(object):
@@ -48,11 +58,19 @@ def configuration(self):
                     [6, 7], [6, 11], [7, 10], [8, 7], [9, 8], [9, 10],
                     [11, 10], [12, 5], [12, 11], [12, 13], [13, 4],
                     [13, 14], [15, 0], [15, 2], [15, 14]]
-        return {
-            'name': 'fake_qx5', 'basis_gates': 'u1,u2,u3,cx,id',
-            'simulator': False, 'n_qubits': 16,
-            'coupling_map': qx5_cmap
-        }
+
+        return BackendConfiguration(
+            backend_name='fake_qx5',
+            backend_version='0.0.0',
+            n_qubits=16,
+            basis_gates=['u1', 'u2', 'u3', 'cx', 'id'],
+            simulator=False,
+            local=True,
+            conditional=False,
+            open_pulse=False,
+            gates=[GateConfig(name='TODO', parameters=[], qasm_def='TODO')],
+            coupling_map=qx5_cmap,
+        )
 
 
 class MapperTest(QiskitTestCase):
@@ -67,7 +85,8 @@ def test_mapper_overoptimization(self):
         The mapper should not change the semantics of the input. An overoptimization introduced
         the issue #81: https://github.com/QISKit/qiskit-terra/issues/81
         """
-        circ = qiskit.load_qasm_file(self._get_resource_path('qasm/overoptimization.qasm'))
+        circ = QuantumCircuit.from_qasm_file(
+            self._get_resource_path('qasm/overoptimization.qasm'))
         coupling_map = [[0, 2], [1, 2], [2, 3]]
         result1 = qiskit.execute(circ, backend=Aer.get_backend("qasm_simulator_py"),
                                  coupling_map=coupling_map, seed=self.seed)
@@ -85,7 +104,8 @@ def test_math_domain_error(self):
         avoided.
         See: https://github.com/QISKit/qiskit-terra/issues/111
         """
-        circ = qiskit.load_qasm_file(self._get_resource_path('qasm/math_domain_error.qasm'))
+        circ = QuantumCircuit.from_qasm_file(
+            self._get_resource_path('qasm/math_domain_error.qasm'))
         coupling_map = [[0, 2], [1, 2], [2, 3]]
         shots = 2000
         qobj = qiskit.execute(circ, backend=Aer.get_backend("qasm_simulator_py"),
@@ -122,7 +142,8 @@ def test_optimize_1q_gates_issue159(self):
 
     def test_random_parameter_circuit(self):
         """Run a circuit with randomly generated parameters."""
-        circ = qiskit.load_qasm_file(self._get_resource_path('qasm/random_n5_d5.qasm'))
+        circ = QuantumCircuit.from_qasm_file(
+            self._get_resource_path('qasm/random_n5_d5.qasm'))
         coupling_map = [[0, 1], [1, 2], [2, 3], [3, 4]]
         shots = 1024
         qobj = qiskit.execute(circ, backend=Aer.get_backend("qasm_simulator_py"),
@@ -251,10 +272,10 @@ def test_yzy_zyz_cases(self):
         See: https://github.com/QISKit/qiskit-terra/issues/607
         """
         backend = FakeQX4BackEnd()
-        circ1 = load_qasm_string(YZY_ZYZ_1)
+        circ1 = QuantumCircuit.from_qasm_str(YZY_ZYZ_1)
         qobj1 = compile(circ1, backend)
         self.assertIsInstance(qobj1, Qobj)
-        circ2 = load_qasm_string(YZY_ZYZ_2)
+        circ2 = QuantumCircuit.from_qasm_str(YZY_ZYZ_2)
         qobj2 = compile(circ2, backend)
         self.assertIsInstance(qobj2, Qobj)
 
@@ -262,9 +283,10 @@ def test_move_measurements(self):
         """Measurements applied AFTER swap mapping.
         """
         backend = FakeQX5BackEnd()
-        cmap = backend.configuration()['coupling_map']
-        circ = qiskit.load_qasm_file(self._get_resource_path('qasm/move_measurements.qasm'),
-                                     name='move')
+        cmap = backend.configuration().coupling_map
+        circ = QuantumCircuit.from_qasm_file(
+            self._get_resource_path('qasm/move_measurements.qasm'))
+
         dag_circuit = DAGCircuit.fromQuantumCircuit(circ)
         lay = {('qa', 0): ('q', 0), ('qa', 1): ('q', 1), ('qb', 0): ('q', 15),
                ('qb', 1): ('q', 2), ('qb', 2): ('q', 14), ('qN', 0): ('q', 3),