Notwithstanding any other law, guidance and counseling services at the elementary and secondary school level may be provided by a person holding a graduate degree in counseling from a state-approved school counseling program, with coursework and an internship in school counseling, as required for all counselors by the superintendent of public instruction, provided the person has a North Dakota teaching license or will obtain one within seven years from the date of first employment under this section. The board shall conduct a criminal history record check in accordance with section 12-60-24 on each person hired under this section. All costs associated with a background check are the responsibility of the person being hired. The board shall monitor a person hired under this section to ensure that the person annually completes at least one-seventh of the total credits required for that person to obtain a teaching license, as determined at the time of employment under this section.