Quality academic advising has been known to have lasting impacts on student success and persistence in higher education. In 2017, NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising established a set of 20 competencies known to be the essential topics that advisors and student success professionals have an understanding of, knowledge of, or skills in to guide their work and development as advisors. The framework for the model grouped the competencies into three overarching areas: Conceptual, Informational, and Relational, based on foundational work in advisor training by Wes Habley (1987). The following research study set out to validate this set of competencies, as theoretical explanation behind the three established component areas and overall process for validation and the resulting 20 competencies was unknown. The research consisted of a survey and several quantitative analyses to explore the research questions. Academic advisors were invited to participate in the survey to share their perceived importance and perceived proficiency for each of the 20 competencies. Advisors were also asked about various background characteristics such as their years of experience and advising role type. Exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factor structure of the competencies. A modified Lawshe content validity ratio process was used to analyze which competencies participants thought to be essential to their work, and those values were compared with critical binomial values. Next, the Borich Needs Assessment model was used to validate consequential validity of the competencies, which ultimately identified prioritized training needs from the sample group. Last, analyses were conducted to explore any differences in response amongst advisor background characteristics. This study found that the competencies are valid, but perhaps not in the structure NACADA has put forth. The Borich Model proved to be applicable in identifying prioritized training needs of the participants. The findings of this study have implications for further refinement of the competencies, which will impact the work, training, and assessment of the critical role of academic advisors. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]