A DUI/DWI conviction will appear on a criminal background check requested by a prospective employer and may adversely affect employment opportunities in some professions, industries, and occupations—especially jobs (1) for which a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required, (2) for which a person must operate heavy equipment or machinery, or (3) in which a person is entrusted with ensuring the safety of others (air traffic controller, police officer) or safeguarding sensitive information or data. Generally, the only way to remove a DUI/DWI conviction from appearing in some or all of such background checks is to have it expunged or sealed—which is only possible in limited circumstances.

In states in which employment is at-will an employer may terminate an employee for a DUI/DWI arrest or conviction. If the employee has a written employment contract there may be limitations on the grounds on which the employee may be terminated, and a DUI/DWI arrest or conviction may fall within those grounds of termination for cause—in other words, termination for an identified reason, and not for no reason, which is permissible under employment at will.

In Iowa, a DUI (known as OWI - Operating While Intoxicated) conviction will indeed appear on a criminal background check, which can impact employment opportunities, particularly for jobs requiring a commercial driver's license (CDL), operation of heavy machinery, or positions involving public safety or sensitive information. Expungement or sealing of OWI convictions in Iowa is possible under certain conditions, such as the passage of a specific amount of time and the absence of subsequent offenses, but it is not guaranteed and is subject to the discretion of the court. Iowa is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can terminate employees for any legal reason, including a DUI/OWI arrest or conviction, unless there is a written employment contract that specifies the conditions under which termination is allowed. In such cases, a DUI/OWI could be considered a 'for cause' reason for termination if it is specified in the contract.