I agree with @Bill Presson as far as credential is concerned, but I am not aware of a requirement to have the prior credential to take the exam. In other words, you can take the exam before you have the QKC designation, but you can't apply for QPA without having met QPC.
I took the exams out of order before there was a QKC designation, but this was back in the hunter-gatherer days...
From the QPA credential guide:
To obtain the QPA™ credential individuals must:
Have earned the QKC credential
Pass the QPA™ exam
Agree to abide by the ARA Code of Professional Conduct
Apply for the credential