diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index cbdbbda..23bf8b9 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ package-dir = {"probeinterface" = "src/probeinterface"}
 [project.optional-dependencies]
 
 test = [
+    "jsonschema",
     "pytest",
     "pytest-cov",
     "matplotlib",
diff --git a/resources/probe.json.schema b/resources/probe.json.schema
index eecdda1..9d09e1b 100644
--- a/resources/probe.json.schema
+++ b/resources/probe.json.schema
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@
           "annotations": {
             "type": "object",
             "properties": {
-              "name": { "type": "string" },
+              "model_name": { "type": "string" },
               "manufacturer": { "type": "string" }
             },
-            "required": ["name", "manufacturer"],
+            "required": ["model_name", "manufacturer"],
             "additionalProperties": true
           },
           "contact_annotations": {
@@ -101,6 +101,10 @@
           "shank_ids": {
             "type": "array",
             "items": { "type": "string" }
+          },
+          "device_channel_indices": {
+            "type": "array",
+            "items": { "type": "integer" }
           }
         },
         "required": [
diff --git a/src/probeinterface/probe.py b/src/probeinterface/probe.py
index 2fc137a..4cbf5a4 100644
--- a/src/probeinterface/probe.py
+++ b/src/probeinterface/probe.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 import numpy as np
 from typing import Optional
 from pathlib import Path
-import json
 
 from .shank import Shank
 
diff --git a/src/probeinterface/testing.py b/src/probeinterface/testing.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b3131c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/probeinterface/testing.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+import json
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from probeinterface import __version__ as version
+import jsonschema
+
+json_schema_file = Path(__file__).absolute().parent.parent.parent / "resources" / "probe.json.schema"
+schema = json.load(open(json_schema_file, "r"))
+
+
+def validate_probe_dict(probe_dict):
+    instance = dict(specification="probeinterface", version=version, probes=[probe_dict])
+    jsonschema.validate(instance=instance, schema=schema)
diff --git a/tests/test_io/test_3brain.py b/tests/test_io/test_3brain.py
index 11a4473..1128a23 100644
--- a/tests/test_io/test_3brain.py
+++ b/tests/test_io/test_3brain.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import glob
 from pathlib import Path
 import numpy as np
 
@@ -5,7 +6,19 @@
 
 from probeinterface import read_3brain
 
+from probeinterface.testing import validate_probe_dict
+
+
 data_path = Path(__file__).absolute().parent.parent / "data" / "3brain"
+brw_files = glob.glob(str(data_path / "*.brw"))
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("file_", brw_files)
+def test_valid_probe_dict(file_: str):
+    probe = read_3brain(data_path / file_)
+    probe_dict = probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    probe_dict["annotations"].update(model_name="placeholder")
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
 
 
 def test_3brain():
diff --git a/tests/test_io/test_imro.py b/tests/test_io/test_imro.py
index 9e6e269..a579047 100644
--- a/tests/test_io/test_imro.py
+++ b/tests/test_io/test_imro.py
@@ -1,11 +1,22 @@
+import glob
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import pytest
 import numpy as np
 
 from probeinterface import read_imro, write_imro
+from probeinterface.testing import validate_probe_dict
 
 data_path = Path(__file__).absolute().parent.parent / "data" / "imro"
+imro_files = glob.glob(str(data_path / "*.imro"))
+
+imro_files.pop(imro_files.index(str(data_path / "test_non_standard.imro")))
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("file_", imro_files)
+def test_valid_probe_dict(file_: str):
+    probe = read_imro(data_path / file_)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True))
 
 
 def test_reading_multishank_imro(tmp_path):
diff --git a/tests/test_io/test_maxwell.py b/tests/test_io/test_maxwell.py
index f6b6851..664b5d6 100644
--- a/tests/test_io/test_maxwell.py
+++ b/tests/test_io/test_maxwell.py
@@ -4,10 +4,19 @@
 import pytest
 
 from probeinterface import read_maxwell
+from probeinterface.testing import validate_probe_dict
 
 data_path = Path(__file__).absolute().parent.parent / "data" / "maxwell"
 
 
+def test_valid_probe_dict():
+    file_ = "data.raw.h5"
+    probe = read_maxwell(data_path / file_)
+    probe_dict = probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    probe_dict["annotations"].update(model_name="placeholder")
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
+
+
 def test_maxwell():
     """Basic file taken from the ephys data repository and provided by Alessio Buccino"""
 
diff --git a/tests/test_io/test_openephys.py b/tests/test_io/test_openephys.py
index bf18711..bb90a71 100644
--- a/tests/test_io/test_openephys.py
+++ b/tests/test_io/test_openephys.py
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import numpy as np
+import glob
 
 import pytest
 
 from probeinterface import read_openephys
+from probeinterface.testing import validate_probe_dict
 
 data_path = Path(__file__).absolute().parent.parent / "data" / "openephys"
 
@@ -12,6 +14,8 @@
 def test_NP2_OE_1_0():
     # NP2 1-shank
     probeA = read_openephys(data_path / "OE_1.0_Neuropix-PXI-multi-probe" / "settings.xml", probe_name="ProbeA")
+    probe_dict = probeA.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     assert probeA.get_shank_count() == 1
     assert "2.0" in probeA.model_name
     assert probeA.get_contact_count() == 384
@@ -20,6 +24,8 @@ def test_NP2_OE_1_0():
 def test_NP2():
     # NP2
     probe = read_openephys(data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI" / "settings.xml")
+    probe_dict = probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     assert probe.get_shank_count() == 1
     assert "2.0 - Single Shank" in probe.model_name
 
@@ -27,6 +33,8 @@ def test_NP2():
 def test_NP2_four_shank():
     # NP2
     probe = read_openephys(data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-NP2-4shank" / "settings.xml")
+    probe_dict = probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     # on this case, only shanks 2-3 are used
     assert probe.get_shank_count() == 2
     assert "2.0 - Four Shank" in probe.model_name
@@ -38,6 +46,8 @@ def test_NP_Ultra():
         data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-NP-Ultra" / "settings.xml",
         probe_name="ProbeA",
     )
+    probe_dict = probeA.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     assert "Ultra" in probeA.model_name
     assert probeA.get_shank_count() == 1
     assert probeA.get_contact_count() == 384
@@ -46,6 +56,8 @@ def test_NP_Ultra():
         data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-NP-Ultra" / "settings.xml",
         probe_name="ProbeB",
     )
+    probe_dict = probeB.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     assert "Ultra" in probeB.model_name
     assert probeB.get_shank_count() == 1
     assert probeB.get_contact_count() == 384
@@ -54,6 +66,8 @@ def test_NP_Ultra():
         data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-NP-Ultra" / "settings.xml",
         probe_name="ProbeF",
     )
+    probe_dict = probeF.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     assert "Ultra" in probeF.model_name
     assert probeF.get_shank_count() == 1
     assert probeF.get_contact_count() == 384
@@ -62,6 +76,8 @@ def test_NP_Ultra():
         data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-NP-Ultra" / "settings.xml",
         probe_name="ProbeD",
     )
+    probe_dict = probeD.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     assert "Ultra" in probeD.model_name and "Type 2" in probeD.model_name
     assert probeD.get_shank_count() == 1
     assert probeD.get_contact_count() == 384
@@ -72,12 +88,16 @@ def test_NP_Ultra():
 def test_NP1_subset():
     # NP1 - 200 channels selected by recording_state in Record Node
     probe_ap = read_openephys(data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-subset" / "settings.xml", stream_name="ProbeA-AP")
+    probe_dict = probe_ap.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
 
     assert probe_ap.get_shank_count() == 1
     assert "1.0" in probe_ap.model_name
     assert probe_ap.get_contact_count() == 200
 
     probe_lf = read_openephys(data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-subset" / "settings.xml", stream_name="ProbeA-LFP")
+    probe_dict = probe_lf.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
 
     assert probe_lf.get_shank_count() == 1
     assert "1.0" in probe_lf.model_name
@@ -92,6 +112,8 @@ def test_NP1_subset():
 def test_multiple_probes():
     # multiple probes
     probeA = read_openephys(data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-multi-probe" / "settings.xml", probe_name="ProbeA")
+    probe_dict = probeA.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
 
     assert probeA.get_shank_count() == 1
     assert "1.0" in probeA.model_name
@@ -100,6 +122,8 @@ def test_multiple_probes():
         data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-multi-probe" / "settings.xml",
         stream_name="RecordNode#ProbeB",
     )
+    probe_dict = probeB.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
 
     assert probeB.get_shank_count() == 1
 
@@ -107,10 +131,14 @@ def test_multiple_probes():
         data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-multi-probe" / "settings.xml",
         serial_number="20403311714",
     )
+    probe_dict = probeC.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
 
     assert probeC.get_shank_count() == 1
 
     probeD = read_openephys(data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-multi-probe" / "settings.xml", probe_name="ProbeD")
+    probe_dict = probeD.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
 
     assert probeD.get_shank_count() == 1
 
@@ -146,11 +174,16 @@ def test_multiple_probes_enabled():
     probe = read_openephys(
         data_path / "OE_6.7_enabled_disabled_Neuropix-PXI" / "settings_enabled-enabled.xml", probe_name="ProbeA"
     )
+    probe_dict = probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
+
     assert probe.get_shank_count() == 1
 
     probe = read_openephys(
         data_path / "OE_6.7_enabled_disabled_Neuropix-PXI" / "settings_enabled-enabled.xml", probe_name="ProbeB"
     )
+    probe_dict = probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     assert probe.get_shank_count() == 4
 
 
@@ -159,7 +192,8 @@ def test_multiple_probes_disabled():
     probe = read_openephys(
         data_path / "OE_6.7_enabled_disabled_Neuropix-PXI" / "settings_enabled-disabled.xml", probe_name="ProbeA"
     )
-
+    probe_dict = probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     assert probe.get_shank_count() == 1
 
     # Fail as this is disabled:
@@ -173,6 +207,8 @@ def test_multiple_probes_disabled():
 
 def test_np_opto_with_sync():
     probe = read_openephys(data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-opto-with-sync" / "settings.xml")
+    probe_dict = probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     assert probe.model_name == "Neuropixels Opto"
     assert probe.get_shank_count() == 1
     assert probe.get_contact_count() == 384
@@ -182,7 +218,8 @@ def test_older_than_06_format():
     ## Test with the open ephys < 0.6 format
 
     probe = read_openephys(data_path / "OE_5_Neuropix-PXI-multi-probe" / "settings.xml", probe_name="100.0")
-
+    probe_dict = probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     assert probe.get_shank_count() == 4
     assert "2.0 - Four Shank" in probe.model_name
     ypos = probe.contact_positions[:, 1]
@@ -193,6 +230,8 @@ def test_multiple_signal_chains():
     # tests that the probe information can be loaded even if the Neuropix-PXI plugin
     # is not in the first signalchain
     probe = read_openephys(data_path / "OE_Neuropix-PXI-multiple-signalchains" / "settings.xml")
+    probe_dict = probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
     assert probe.model_name == "Neuropixels 1.0"
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_io/test_spikegadgets.py b/tests/test_io/test_spikegadgets.py
index 7415db9..6cff88d 100644
--- a/tests/test_io/test_spikegadgets.py
+++ b/tests/test_io/test_spikegadgets.py
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 from pathlib import Path
 from xml.etree import ElementTree
 
-import pytest
-
 from probeinterface import read_spikegadgets
 from probeinterface.io import parse_spikegadgets_header
+from probeinterface.testing import validate_probe_dict
+
 
 data_path = Path(__file__).absolute().parent.parent / "data" / "spikegadgets"
 test_file = "SpikeGadgets_test_data_2xNpix1.0_20240318_173658_header_only.rec"
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ def test_neuropixels_1_reader():
     probe_group = read_spikegadgets(data_path / test_file, raise_error=False)
     assert len(probe_group.probes) == 2
     for probe in probe_group.probes:
+        probe_dict = probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True)
+        validate_probe_dict(probe_dict)
         assert "1.0" in probe.model_name
         assert probe.get_shank_count() == 1
         assert probe.get_contact_count() == 384
diff --git a/tests/test_io/test_spikeglx.py b/tests/test_io/test_spikeglx.py
index f32ee6e..e6bc657 100644
--- a/tests/test_io/test_spikeglx.py
+++ b/tests/test_io/test_spikeglx.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import glob
 from pathlib import Path
 import numpy as np
 
@@ -8,8 +9,16 @@
     parse_spikeglx_meta,
     get_saved_channel_indices_from_spikeglx_meta,
 )
+from probeinterface.testing import validate_probe_dict
 
 data_path = Path(__file__).absolute().parent.parent / "data" / "spikeglx"
+meta_files = glob.glob(str(data_path / "*.meta"))
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("meta_file", meta_files)
+def test_valid_probe_dict(meta_file: str):
+    probe = read_spikeglx(data_path / meta_file)
+    validate_probe_dict(probe.to_dict(array_as_list=True))
 
 
 def test_parse_meta():