diff --git a/qiskit/_compiler.py b/qiskit/_compiler.py
index f6eb544af671..b01fa997b39e 100644
--- a/qiskit/_compiler.py
+++ b/qiskit/_compiler.py
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ def execute(list_of_circuits, backend, compile_config=None,
     qobj = compile(list_of_circuits, backend, compile_config)
 
     # XXX When qobj is done this should replace q_job
-    q_job = QuantumJob(qobj, preformatted=True, resources={
+    q_job = QuantumJob(qobj, backend=backend, preformatted=True, resources={
         'max_credits': qobj['config']['max_credits'], 'wait': wait, 'timeout': timeout})
     result = backend.run(q_job)
     return result
@@ -125,8 +125,9 @@ def compile(list_of_circuits, backend, compile_config=None):
         qobj_id = "".join([random.choice(string.ascii_letters + string.digits)
                            for n in range(30)])
     qobj['id'] = qobj_id
-    qobj["config"] = {"max_credits": max_credits, 'backend': backend,
-                      "shots": shots}
+    qobj['config'] = {'max_credits': max_credits,
+                      'shots': shots,
+                      'backend_name': backend_name}
 
     # TODO This backend needs HPC parameters to be passed in order to work
     if backend_name == 'ibmqx_hpc_qasm_simulator':
diff --git a/qiskit/_jobprocessor.py b/qiskit/_jobprocessor.py
index 996a0ad549ee..4634d812e548 100644
--- a/qiskit/_jobprocessor.py
+++ b/qiskit/_jobprocessor.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 from concurrent import futures
 from threading import Lock
 
+from ._qiskiterror import QISKitError
 from ._compiler import compile_circuit
 from ._result import Result
 
@@ -35,9 +36,18 @@ def run_backend(q_job):
 
     Returns:
         Result: Result object.
+
+    Raises:
+        QISKitError: if the backend is malformed
     """
     backend = q_job.backend
     qobj = q_job.qobj
+    backend_name = qobj['config']['backend_name']
+    if not backend:
+        raise QISKitError("No backend instance to run on.")
+    if backend_name != backend.configuration['name']:
+        raise QISKitError('non-matching backends specified in Qobj '
+                          'object and json')
     if backend.configuration.get('local'):  # remove condition when api gets qobj
         for circuit in qobj['circuits']:
             if circuit['compiled_circuit'] is None:
diff --git a/qiskit/_quantumjob.py b/qiskit/_quantumjob.py
index fae9cfff03b9..1136091513bf 100644
--- a/qiskit/_quantumjob.py
+++ b/qiskit/_quantumjob.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 import string
 
 # stable modules
-from qiskit import QISKitError
 from ._quantumcircuit import QuantumCircuit
 from .qasm import Qasm
 
@@ -35,7 +34,7 @@ class QuantumJob():
 
     # TODO We need to create more tests for checking all possible inputs.
     # TODO Make this interface clearer -- circuits could be many things!
-    def __init__(self, circuits, backend=None,
+    def __init__(self, circuits, backend,
                  circuit_config=None, seed=None,
                  resources=None,
                  shots=1024, names=None,
@@ -45,8 +44,7 @@ def __init__(self, circuits, backend=None,
             circuits (QuantumCircuit|DagCircuit | list(QuantumCircuit|DagCircuit)):
                 QuantumCircuit|DagCircuit or list of QuantumCircuit|DagCircuit.
                 If preformatted=True, this is a raw qobj.
-            backend (BaseBackend): The backend to run the circuit on, required
-                if preformatted=False.
+            backend (BaseBackend): The backend to run the circuit on, required.
             circuit_config (dict): Circuit configuration.
             seed (int): The intial seed the simulatros use.
             resources (dict): Resource requirements of job.
@@ -82,12 +80,9 @@ def __init__(self, circuits, backend=None,
             # circuits is actually a qobj...validate (not ideal but convenient)
             self.qobj = circuits
         else:
-            if not backend:
-                raise QISKitError('backend needs to be specified if '
-                                  'preformatted==True.')
             self.qobj = self._create_qobj(circuits, circuit_config, backend,
                                           seed, resources, shots, do_compile)
-        self.backend = self.qobj['config']['backend']
+        self.backend = backend
         self.resources = resources
         self.seed = seed
         self.result = None
@@ -146,7 +141,7 @@ def _create_qobj(self, circuits, circuit_config, backend, seed,
                 'config': {
                     'max_credits': resources['max_credits'],
                     'shots': shots,
-                    'backend': backend
+                    'backend_name': backend.configuration['name']
                 },
                 'circuits': circuit_records}
 
diff --git a/qiskit/_quantumprogram.py b/qiskit/_quantumprogram.py
index e33006563466..aaf586f01097 100644
--- a/qiskit/_quantumprogram.py
+++ b/qiskit/_quantumprogram.py
@@ -1047,7 +1047,7 @@ def get_execution_list(self, qobj, print_func=print):
         execution_list = []
 
         print_func("id: %s" % qobj['id'])
-        print_func("backend: %s" % qobj['config']['backend'])
+        print_func("backend: %s" % qobj['config']['backend_name'])
         print_func("qobj config:")
         for key in qobj['config']:
             if key != 'backend':
@@ -1229,7 +1229,8 @@ def run_batch_async(self, qobj_list, wait=5, timeout=120, callback=None):
     def _run_internal(self, qobj_list, wait=5, timeout=60, callback=None):
         q_job_list = []
         for qobj in qobj_list:
-            q_job = QuantumJob(qobj, preformatted=True, resources={
+            backend = qiskit.wrapper.get_backend(qobj['config']['backend_name'])
+            q_job = QuantumJob(qobj, backend=backend, preformatted=True, resources={
                 'max_credits': qobj['config']['max_credits'], 'wait': wait,
                 'timeout': timeout})
             q_job_list.append(q_job)
diff --git a/qiskit/_result.py b/qiskit/_result.py
index ced30eeae4b6..46bdba154d5c 100644
--- a/qiskit/_result.py
+++ b/qiskit/_result.py
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ def __iadd__(self, other):
         # sessions)
         my_config = copy.deepcopy(self._qobj['config'])
         other_config = copy.deepcopy(other._qobj['config'])
-        my_backend = my_config.pop('backend').configuration['name']
-        other_backend = other_config.pop('backend').configuration['name']
+        my_backend = my_config.pop('backend_name')
+        other_backend = other_config.pop('backend_name')
 
         if my_config == other_config and my_backend == other_backend:
             if isinstance(self._qobj['id'], str):
diff --git a/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqbackend.py b/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqbackend.py
index 3ac19cbaebc1..c403951fc608 100644
--- a/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqbackend.py
+++ b/qiskit/backends/ibmq/ibmqbackend.py
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def run(self, q_job):
 
         seed0 = qobj['circuits'][0]['config']['seed']
         hpc = None
-        if (qobj['config']['backend'] == 'ibmqx_hpc_qasm_simulator' and
+        if (qobj['config']['backend_name'] == 'ibmqx_hpc_qasm_simulator' and
                 'hpc' in qobj['config']):
             try:
                 # Use CamelCase when passing the hpc parameters to the API.
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ def run(self, q_job):
 
         # TODO: this should be self._configuration['name'] - need to check that
         # it is always the case.
-        backend_name = qobj['config']['backend'].configuration['name']
+        backend_name = qobj['config']['backend_name']
         output = self._api.run_job(api_jobs, backend_name,
                                    shots=qobj['config']['shots'],
                                    max_credits=qobj['config']['max_credits'],
@@ -113,13 +113,13 @@ def run(self, q_job):
             raise ResultError(output['error'])
 
         logger.info('Running qobj: %s on remote backend %s with job id: %s',
-                    qobj["id"], qobj['config']['backend'], output['id'])
+                    qobj["id"], qobj['config']['backend_name'], output['id'])
         job_result = _wait_for_job(output['id'], self._api, wait=wait,
                                    timeout=timeout)
         logger.info('Got a result for qobj: %s from remote backend %s with job id: %s',
-                    qobj["id"], qobj['config']['backend'], output['id'])
+                    qobj["id"], qobj['config']['backend_name'], output['id'])
         job_result['name'] = qobj['id']
-        job_result['backend'] = qobj['config']['backend']
+        job_result['backend'] = qobj['config']['backend_name']
         this_result = Result(job_result, qobj)
         return this_result
 
diff --git a/test/performance/vqe.py b/test/performance/vqe.py
index e2b10e26ae20..aa97518b00cd 100644
--- a/test/performance/vqe.py
+++ b/test/performance/vqe.py
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ def vqe(molecule='H2', depth=6, max_trials=200, shots=1):
     if shots != 1:
         H = group_paulis(pauli_list)
 
-    entangler_map = qp.configuration(device)['coupling_map']
+    entangler_map = qp.get_backend_configuration(device)['coupling_map']
 
     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/qobj/cpp_conditionals.json b/test/python/qobj/cpp_conditionals.json
index b7036ca80b8b..0da6e18cbd59 100644
--- a/test/python/qobj/cpp_conditionals.json
+++ b/test/python/qobj/cpp_conditionals.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     "config": {
         "shots": 1,
         "seed": 1,
-        "backend": "local_qasm_simulator_cpp"
+        "backend_name": "local_qiskit_simulator"
     },
     "circuits": [
         {
diff --git a/test/python/qobj/cpp_measure_opt.json b/test/python/qobj/cpp_measure_opt.json
index e0548154b020..a77a2c9f2c00 100644
--- a/test/python/qobj/cpp_measure_opt.json
+++ b/test/python/qobj/cpp_measure_opt.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     "config": {
         "shots": 2000,
         "seed": 1,
-        "backend": "local_qasm_simulator_cpp"
+        "backend_name": "local_qiskit_simulator"
     },
     "circuits": [
         {
diff --git a/test/python/qobj/cpp_reset.json b/test/python/qobj/cpp_reset.json
index 5913c4af0da9..7b7c7c0d03ff 100644
--- a/test/python/qobj/cpp_reset.json
+++ b/test/python/qobj/cpp_reset.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     "config": {
         "shots": 1,
         "seed": 1,
-        "backend": "local_qasm_simulator_cpp"
+        "backend_name": "local_qiskit_simulator"
     },
     "circuits": [
         {
diff --git a/test/python/qobj/cpp_save_load.json b/test/python/qobj/cpp_save_load.json
index a8d4903c03f4..5e6a3231d474 100644
--- a/test/python/qobj/cpp_save_load.json
+++ b/test/python/qobj/cpp_save_load.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     "config": {
         "shots": 1,
         "seed": 1,
-        "backend": "local_qasm_simulator_cpp"
+        "backend_name": "local_qiskit_simulator"
     },
     "circuits": [
         {
diff --git a/test/python/qobj/cpp_single_qubit_gates.json b/test/python/qobj/cpp_single_qubit_gates.json
index a0dd17202d0a..5b36fbe0d00b 100644
--- a/test/python/qobj/cpp_single_qubit_gates.json
+++ b/test/python/qobj/cpp_single_qubit_gates.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     "config": {
         "shots": 1,
         "seed": 1,
-        "backend": "local_qasm_simulator_cpp"
+        "backend_name": "local_qiskit_simulator"
     },
     "circuits": [
         {
diff --git a/test/python/qobj/cpp_two_qubit_gates.json b/test/python/qobj/cpp_two_qubit_gates.json
index 835ea9dc4ec2..2a552aea3d00 100644
--- a/test/python/qobj/cpp_two_qubit_gates.json
+++ b/test/python/qobj/cpp_two_qubit_gates.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     "config": {
         "shots": 1,
         "seed": 1,
-        "backend": "local_qasm_simulator_cpp"
+        "backend_name": "local_qiskit_simulator"
     },
     "circuits": [
         {
diff --git a/test/python/test_compiler.py b/test/python/test_compiler.py
index 3bef8e2aabfd..073882ae219d 100644
--- a/test/python/test_compiler.py
+++ b/test/python/test_compiler.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def test_compile(self):
 
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
-        my_backend = QasmSimulator()
+        backend = QasmSimulator()
 
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2, name='q')
         clbit_reg = qiskit.ClassicalRegister(2, name='c')
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def test_compile(self):
         qc.cx(qubit_reg[0], qubit_reg[1])
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
 
-        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile(qc, my_backend)
+        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile(qc, backend)
 
         # FIXME should test against the qobj when defined
         self.assertEqual(len(qobj), 3)
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def test_compile_two(self):
 
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
-        my_backend = QasmSimulator()
+        backend = QasmSimulator()
 
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2, name='q')
         clbit_reg = qiskit.ClassicalRegister(2, name='c')
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def test_compile_two(self):
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
         qc_extra = qiskit.QuantumCircuit(qubit_reg, clbit_reg, name="extra")
         qc_extra.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
-        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile([qc, qc_extra], my_backend)
+        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile([qc, qc_extra], backend)
 
         # FIXME should test against the qobj when defined
         self.assertEqual(len(qobj), 3)
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ def test_compile_run(self):
 
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
-        my_backend = QasmSimulator()
+        backend = QasmSimulator()
 
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2, name='q')
         clbit_reg = qiskit.ClassicalRegister(2, name='c')
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ def test_compile_run(self):
         qc.cx(qubit_reg[0], qubit_reg[1])
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
 
-        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile(qc, my_backend)
-        result = my_backend.run(qiskit.QuantumJob(qobj, preformatted=True))
+        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile(qc, backend)
+        result = backend.run(qiskit.QuantumJob(qobj, backend=backend, preformatted=True))
         self.assertIsInstance(result, Result)
 
     def test_compile_two_run(self):
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def test_compile_two_run(self):
 
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
-        my_backend = QasmSimulator()
+        backend = QasmSimulator()
 
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2, name='q')
         clbit_reg = qiskit.ClassicalRegister(2, name='c')
@@ -110,8 +110,8 @@ def test_compile_two_run(self):
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
         qc_extra = qiskit.QuantumCircuit(qubit_reg, clbit_reg, name="extra")
         qc_extra.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
-        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile([qc, qc_extra], my_backend)
-        result = my_backend.run(qiskit.QuantumJob(qobj, preformatted=True))
+        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile([qc, qc_extra], backend)
+        result = backend.run(qiskit.QuantumJob(qobj, backend=backend, preformatted=True))
         self.assertIsInstance(result, Result)
 
     def test_execute(self):
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ def test_execute(self):
 
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
-        my_backend = QasmSimulator()
+        backend = QasmSimulator()
 
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2)
         clbit_reg = qiskit.ClassicalRegister(2)
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ def test_execute(self):
         qc.cx(qubit_reg[0], qubit_reg[1])
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
 
-        results = qiskit._compiler.execute(qc, my_backend)
+        results = qiskit._compiler.execute(qc, backend)
 
         self.assertIsInstance(results, Result)
 
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def test_execute_two(self):
 
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
-        my_backend = QasmSimulator()
+        backend = QasmSimulator()
 
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2)
         clbit_reg = qiskit.ClassicalRegister(2)
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ def test_execute_two(self):
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
         qc_extra = qiskit.QuantumCircuit(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
         qc_extra.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
-        results = qiskit._compiler.execute([qc, qc_extra], my_backend)
+        results = qiskit._compiler.execute([qc, qc_extra], backend)
 
         self.assertIsInstance(results, Result)
 
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ def test_compile_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
         provider = IBMQProvider(QE_TOKEN, QE_URL)
-        my_backend = lowest_pending_jobs(
+        backend = lowest_pending_jobs(
             provider.available_backends({'local': False, 'simulator': False}))
 
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2, name='q')
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ def test_compile_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         qc.cx(qubit_reg[0], qubit_reg[1])
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
 
-        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile(qc, my_backend)
+        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile(qc, backend)
 
         # FIXME should test against the qobj when defined
         self.assertEqual(len(qobj), 3)
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ def test_compile_two_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
         provider = IBMQProvider(QE_TOKEN, QE_URL)
-        my_backend = lowest_pending_jobs(
+        backend = lowest_pending_jobs(
             provider.available_backends({'local': False, 'simulator': False}))
 
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2, name='q')
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ def test_compile_two_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
         qc_extra = qiskit.QuantumCircuit(qubit_reg, clbit_reg, name="extra")
         qc_extra.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
-        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile([qc, qc_extra], my_backend)
+        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile([qc, qc_extra], backend)
 
         # FIXME should test against the qobj when defined
         self.assertEqual(len(qobj), 3)
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ def test_compile_run_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
         provider = IBMQProvider(QE_TOKEN, QE_URL)
-        my_backend = provider.get_backend('ibmqx_qasm_simulator')
+        backend = provider.get_backend('ibmqx_qasm_simulator')
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2, name='q')
         clbit_reg = qiskit.ClassicalRegister(2, name='c')
         qc = qiskit.QuantumCircuit(qubit_reg, clbit_reg, name="bell")
@@ -211,8 +211,8 @@ def test_compile_run_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         qc.cx(qubit_reg[0], qubit_reg[1])
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
 
-        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile(qc, my_backend)
-        result = my_backend.run(qiskit.QuantumJob(qobj, preformatted=True))
+        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile(qc, backend)
+        result = backend.run(qiskit.QuantumJob(qobj, backend=backend, preformatted=True))
         self.assertIsInstance(result, Result)
 
     @requires_qe_access
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ def test_compile_two_run_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
         provider = IBMQProvider(QE_TOKEN, QE_URL)
-        my_backend = provider.get_backend('ibmqx_qasm_simulator')
+        backend = provider.get_backend('ibmqx_qasm_simulator')
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2, name='q')
         clbit_reg = qiskit.ClassicalRegister(2, name='c')
         qc = qiskit.QuantumCircuit(qubit_reg, clbit_reg, name="bell")
@@ -231,8 +231,8 @@ def test_compile_two_run_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
         qc_extra = qiskit.QuantumCircuit(qubit_reg, clbit_reg, name="extra")
         qc_extra.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
-        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile([qc, qc_extra], my_backend)
-        result = my_backend.run(qiskit.QuantumJob(qobj, preformatted=True))
+        qobj = qiskit._compiler.compile([qc, qc_extra], backend)
+        result = backend.run(qiskit.QuantumJob(qobj, backend=backend, preformatted=True))
         self.assertIsInstance(result, Result)
 
     @requires_qe_access
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ def test_execute_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
         provider = IBMQProvider(QE_TOKEN, QE_URL)
-        my_backend = provider.get_backend('ibmqx_qasm_simulator')
+        backend = provider.get_backend('ibmqx_qasm_simulator')
 
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2)
         clbit_reg = qiskit.ClassicalRegister(2)
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ def test_execute_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         qc.cx(qubit_reg[0], qubit_reg[1])
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
 
-        results = qiskit._compiler.execute(qc, my_backend)
+        results = qiskit._compiler.execute(qc, backend)
         self.assertIsInstance(results, Result)
 
     @requires_qe_access
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ def test_execute_two_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         If all correct some should exists.
         """
         provider = IBMQProvider(QE_TOKEN, QE_URL)
-        my_backend = provider.get_backend('ibmqx_qasm_simulator')
+        backend = provider.get_backend('ibmqx_qasm_simulator')
 
         qubit_reg = qiskit.QuantumRegister(2)
         clbit_reg = qiskit.ClassicalRegister(2)
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ def test_execute_two_remote(self, QE_TOKEN, QE_URL):
         qc.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
         qc_extra = qiskit.QuantumCircuit(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
         qc_extra.measure(qubit_reg, clbit_reg)
-        results = qiskit._compiler.execute([qc, qc_extra], my_backend)
+        results = qiskit._compiler.execute([qc, qc_extra], backend)
 
         self.assertIsInstance(results, Result)
 
diff --git a/test/python/test_job_processor.py b/test/python/test_job_processor.py
index da4adf3a871c..750b04ef95a1 100644
--- a/test/python/test_job_processor.py
+++ b/test/python/test_job_processor.py
@@ -116,14 +116,14 @@ def test_init_quantum_job_qobj(self):
                     'max_credits': 3,
                     'shots': 1024,
                     'seed': None,
-                    'backend': backend},
+                    'backend_name': backend.configuration['name']},
                 'circuits': [
                     {'name': 'example',
                      'compiled_circuit': formatted_circuit,
                      'layout': None,
                      'seed': None}
                 ]}
-        _ = QuantumJob(qobj, preformatted=True)
+        _ = QuantumJob(qobj, backend=backend, preformatted=True)
 
     def test_init_job_processor(self):
         njobs = 5
diff --git a/test/python/test_local_qasm_simulator_cpp.py b/test/python/test_local_qasm_simulator_cpp.py
index 1dbc6efc0287..c1084c614860 100644
--- a/test/python/test_local_qasm_simulator_cpp.py
+++ b/test/python/test_local_qasm_simulator_cpp.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def setUp(self):
                      'config': {
                          'max_credits': 3,
                          'shots': 2000,
-                         'backend': 'local_qiskit_simulator',
+                         'backend_name': 'local_qiskit_simulator',
                          'seed': 1111
                      },
                      'circuits': [
@@ -78,9 +78,6 @@ def setUp(self):
                              'layout': None,
                          }
                      ]}
-        self.q_job = QuantumJob(self.qobj,
-                                backend='local_qiskit_simulator',
-                                preformatted=True)
         # Simulator backend
         try:
             self.backend = QasmSimulatorCpp()
@@ -88,6 +85,10 @@ def setUp(self):
             raise unittest.SkipTest(
                 'cannot find {} in path'.format(fnferr))
 
+        self.q_job = QuantumJob(self.qobj,
+                                backend=self.backend,
+                                preformatted=True)
+
     def test_x90_coherent_error_matrix(self):
         X90 = np.array([[1, -1j], [-1j, 1]]) / np.sqrt(2)
         U = x90_error_matrix(0., 0.).dot(X90)
@@ -138,7 +139,7 @@ def test_qobj_measure_opt(self):
         filename = self._get_resource_path('qobj/cpp_measure_opt.json')
         with open(filename, 'r') as file:
             q_job = QuantumJob(json.load(file),
-                               backend='local_qasm_simulator_cpp',
+                               backend=self.backend,
                                preformatted=True)
         result = self.backend.run(q_job)
         shots = q_job.qobj['config']['shots']
@@ -217,7 +218,7 @@ def test_qobj_reset(self):
         filename = self._get_resource_path('qobj/cpp_reset.json')
         with open(filename, 'r') as file:
             q_job = QuantumJob(json.load(file),
-                               backend='local_qasm_simulator_cpp',
+                               backend=self.backend,
                                preformatted=True)
         result = self.backend.run(q_job)
         expected_data = {
@@ -243,7 +244,7 @@ def test_qobj_save_load(self):
         filename = self._get_resource_path('qobj/cpp_save_load.json')
         with open(filename, 'r') as file:
             q_job = QuantumJob(json.load(file),
-                               backend='local_qasm_simulator_cpp',
+                               backend=self.backend,
                                preformatted=True)
         result = self.backend.run(q_job)
 
@@ -271,7 +272,7 @@ def test_qobj_single_qubit_gates(self):
         filename = self._get_resource_path('qobj/cpp_single_qubit_gates.json')
         with open(filename, 'r') as file:
             q_job = QuantumJob(json.load(file),
-                               backend='local_qasm_simulator_cpp',
+                               backend=self.backend,
                                preformatted=True)
         result = self.backend.run(q_job)
         expected_data = {
@@ -364,7 +365,7 @@ def test_qobj_two_qubit_gates(self):
         filename = self._get_resource_path('qobj/cpp_two_qubit_gates.json')
         with open(filename, 'r') as file:
             q_job = QuantumJob(json.load(file),
-                               backend='local_qasm_simulator_cpp',
+                               backend=self.backend,
                                preformatted=True)
         result = self.backend.run(q_job)
         expected_data = {
@@ -423,7 +424,7 @@ def test_conditionals(self):
         filename = self._get_resource_path('qobj/cpp_conditionals.json')
         with open(filename, 'r') as file:
             q_job = QuantumJob(json.load(file),
-                               backend='local_qasm_simulator_cpp',
+                               backend=self.backend,
                                preformatted=True)
         result = self.backend.run(q_job)
         expected_data = {
diff --git a/test/python/test_projectq_cpp_simulator.py b/test/python/test_projectq_cpp_simulator.py
index 94ea0317534c..c264d6f9dac5 100644
--- a/test/python/test_projectq_cpp_simulator.py
+++ b/test/python/test_projectq_cpp_simulator.py
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@
 import qiskit.backends.local.qasmsimulator as qasm_simulator
 from qiskit import QuantumJob
 from qiskit import QuantumProgram
+from qiskit import QuantumCircuit
+from qiskit import QuantumRegister
+from qiskit import ClassicalRegister
 from qiskit._compiler import compile_circuit
 from ._random_circuit_generator import RandomCircuitGenerator
 from .common import QiskitTestCase
@@ -71,15 +74,16 @@ def setUpClass(cls):
     def test_gate_x(self):
         shots = 100
         qp = QuantumProgram()
-        qr = qp.create_quantum_register("qr", 1)
-        cr = qp.create_classical_register("cr", 1)
-        qc = qp.create_circuit("circuitName", [qr], [cr])
+        qr = QuantumRegister(1, "qr")
+        cr = ClassicalRegister(1, "cr")
+        qc = QuantumCircuit(qr, cr)
         qc.x(qr[0])
         qc.measure(qr, cr)
-        result_pq = qp.execute(['circuitName'],
+        qp.add_circuit("circuit_name", qc)
+        result_pq = qp.execute('circuit_name',
                                backend='local_projectq_simulator',
                                seed=1, shots=shots)
-        self.assertEqual(result_pq.get_counts(result_pq.get_names()[0]),
+        self.assertEqual(result_pq.get_counts(),
                          {'1': shots})
 
     def test_entangle(self):
@@ -87,12 +91,12 @@ def test_entangle(self):
         qp = QuantumProgram()
         qr = qp.create_quantum_register("qr", N)
         cr = qp.create_classical_register("cr", N)
-        qc = qp.create_circuit("circuitName", [qr], [cr])
+        qc = qp.create_circuit("circuit_name", [qr], [cr])
         qc.h(qr[0])
         for i in range(1, N):
             qc.cx(qr[0], qr[i])
         qc.measure(qr, cr)
-        result = qp.execute(['circuitName'],
+        result = qp.execute(['circuit_name'],
                             backend='local_projectq_simulator',
                             seed=1, shots=100)
         counts = result.get_counts(result.get_names()[0])
@@ -109,10 +113,10 @@ def test_random_circuits(self):
             shots = 1000
             min_cnts = int(shots / 10)
             job_pq = QuantumJob(compiled_circuit,
-                                backend='local_projectq_simulator',
+                                backend=pq_simulator,
                                 seed=1, shots=shots)
             job_py = QuantumJob(compiled_circuit,
-                                backend='local_qasm_simulator',
+                                backend=local_simulator,
                                 seed=1, shots=shots)
             result_pq = pq_simulator.run(job_pq)
             result_py = local_simulator.run(job_py)
diff --git a/test/python/test_qasm_python_simulator.py b/test/python/test_qasm_python_simulator.py
index f61086931be5..e244680c64e8 100644
--- a/test/python/test_qasm_python_simulator.py
+++ b/test/python/test_qasm_python_simulator.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ def setUp(self):
                      'config': {
                          'max_credits': resources['max_credits'],
                          'shots': 1024,
-                         'backend': 'local_qasm_simulator',
+                         'backend_name': 'local_qasm_simulator',
                      },
                      'circuits': [
                          {
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def setUp(self):
                          }
                      ]}
         self.q_job = QuantumJob(self.qobj,
-                                backend='local_qasm_simulator',
+                                backend=QasmSimulator(),
                                 circuit_config=circuit_config,
                                 seed=self.seed,
                                 resources=resources,
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ def test_if_statement(self):
             'config': {
                 'max_credits': 3,
                 'shots': shots,
-                'backend': 'local_qasm_simulator',
+                'backend_name': 'local_qasm_simulator',
             },
             'circuits': [
                 {
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ def test_if_statement(self):
                 }
             ]
         }
-        q_job = QuantumJob(qobj, preformatted=True)
+        q_job = QuantumJob(qobj, backend=QasmSimulator(), preformatted=True)
         result = QasmSimulator().run(q_job)
         result_if_true = result.get_data('test_if_true')
         self.log.info('result_if_true circuit:')
diff --git a/test/python/test_qasm_sympy_simulator.py b/test/python/test_qasm_sympy_simulator.py
index 1f7818b37667..3e6e3c3f88b7 100644
--- a/test/python/test_qasm_sympy_simulator.py
+++ b/test/python/test_qasm_sympy_simulator.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def setUp(self):
                      'config': {
                          'max_credits': resources['max_credits'],
                          'shots': 1024,
-                         'backend': 'local_sympy_qasm_simulator',
+                         'backend_name': 'local_sympy_qasm_simulator',
                      },
                      'circuits': [
                          {
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def setUp(self):
                          }
                      ]}
         self.q_job = QuantumJob(self.qobj,
-                                backend='local_sympy_qasm_simulator',
+                                backend=SympyQasmSimulator(),
                                 circuit_config=circuit_config,
                                 seed=self.seed,
                                 resources=resources,
diff --git a/test/python/test_unitary_python_simulator.py b/test/python/test_unitary_python_simulator.py
index 2dcbb2af5788..5901efe67ecf 100644
--- a/test/python/test_unitary_python_simulator.py
+++ b/test/python/test_unitary_python_simulator.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def test_unitary_simulator(self):
             'config': {
                 'max_credits': None,
                 'shots': 1,
-                'backend': 'local_unitary_simulator'
+                'backend_name': 'local_unitary_simulator'
             },
             'circuits': [
                 {
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def test_unitary_simulator(self):
         expected = np.loadtxt(self._get_resource_path('example_unitary_matrix.dat'),
                               dtype='complex', delimiter=',')
         q_job = QuantumJob(qobj,
-                           backend='local_unitary_simulator',
+                           backend=UnitarySimulator(),
                            preformatted=True)
 
         result = UnitarySimulator().run(q_job)
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ def profile_unitary_simulator(self):
         self.qp = random_circuits.get_program()
         pr.enable()
         self.qp.execute(self.qp.get_circuit_names(),
-                        backend='local_unitary_simulator')
+                        backend=UnitarySimulator())
         pr.disable()
         sout = io.StringIO()
         ps = pstats.Stats(pr, stream=sout).sort_stats('cumulative')
diff --git a/test/python/test_unitary_sympy_simulator.py b/test/python/test_unitary_sympy_simulator.py
index 4da5a31cab67..0b67220a52d3 100644
--- a/test/python/test_unitary_sympy_simulator.py
+++ b/test/python/test_unitary_sympy_simulator.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def test_unitary_simulator(self):
             'config': {
                 'max_credits': None,
                 'shots': 1,
-                'backend': 'local_sympy_unitary_simulator'
+                'backend_name': 'local_sympy_unitary_simulator'
             },
             'circuits': [
                 {
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def test_unitary_simulator(self):
         }
 
         q_job = QuantumJob(qobj,
-                           backend='local_sympy_unitary_simulator',
+                           backend=SympyUnitarySimulator(),
                            preformatted=True)
 
         result = SympyUnitarySimulator().run(q_job)