What appears on a background check will depend on the quality of the report and how the reporting entity obtained their data.If an employer buys a report directly from a law enforcement agency, then many will only report conviction data.  I will note that the conviction was for a felony or misdemeanor, whichever is applicable.  They will often refrain from reporting mere arrest data.If an employer buys a report that is based on data from a district clerk, it may include more than conviction data.  Criminal files are generally public record.  This means that a background reporting agency or background investigator can look at the actual file and see the whole case history from the original charging instrument to the final disposition sheet..including the dismissal or diversion.If you are concerned about what your criminal history looks like, then you should pay to see a report on yourself to make sure that your information is correctly reported. If the information is not correctly reported, you can dispute the incorrect entry on the report....much like you would report an incorrect entry on your credit report.  The procedures are very similar, which includes sending a written notice that the information they are reporting on you is incorrect and that you dispute their reporting of incorrect information.