Ryan Eckhout License Revoked for Exam Fraud
Summary
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) has permanently revoked the insurance license of Ryan Eckhout (Enforcement Case No. 26-19008) after finding that he hired Alicia Jackson to take and pass an online proctored licensing exam on his behalf. DIFS served the Notice of Opportunity to Show Compliance on April 16, 2026. The revocation is effective immediately, and Eckhout is permanently barred from reapplying for any license administered by DIFS.
“Respondent admits to hiring and employing Alicia Jackson to take and pass an online proctored licensing exam on Respondent's behalf, justifying sanctions under Sections 1239(1)(a), 1239(1)(g), and 1244 of the Code.”
Insurance licensees and applicants in Michigan should treat exam integrity as a high-stakes compliance matter. DIFS pursued and obtained permanent revocation under MCL 500.1239(1)(a) and (g) based on proxy test-taking — a single act. Firms employing or supervising candidates for licensing exams should reinforce that third-party test-taking violates both the examination rules and the underlying licensing statutes, exposing candidates to permanent disqualification from the profession.
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GovPing monitors MI DIFS Directors Orders for new banking & finance regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 54 changes logged to date.
What changed
Ryan Eckhout's insurance license is permanently revoked following his admission that he hired Alicia Jackson to take and pass an online proctored licensing exam on his behalf. The consent order, entered into voluntarily, cites violations of MCL 500.1239(1)(a) (obtaining a license through misrepresentation or fraud) and MCL 500.1239(1)(g) (fraudulent or dishonest practices and untrustworthiness in the conduct of business). The revocation is effective immediately upon entry of the order.
Insurance licensees and applicants should note that DIFS treats examination integrity violations severely: proxy testing constitutes grounds for permanent license revocation and permanent bar from reapplication under the Michigan Insurance Code. This enforcement action demonstrates DIFS's willingness to pursue the harshest available sanctions even where the respondent stipulates to the violations.
Archived snapshot
Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES Before the Director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services In the matter of: Ryan Eckhout Enforcement Case No. 26-19008 System ID No. 1304078 Respondent. _____________________________/ Issued and entered on April 22, 2026 by Joseph A. Garcia Senior Deputy Director, and General Counsel ORDER ACCEPTING STIPULATION Based upon the Stipulation to Entry of Order and the files and records of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) in this matter, the Senior Deputy Director finds and concludes that: 1. The Senior Deputy Director has jurisdiction and authority to adopt and issue this Order AcceptingStipulation in this proceeding pursuant to the Michigan Administrative Procedures Act of 1969 (APA),as amended, MCL 24.201 et seq., and the Michigan Insurance Code of 1956 (Code), MCL 500.100et seq.2. All required notices have been issued in this case, and the notices and service thereof wereappropriate and lawful in all respects.3. Acceptance of the Stipulation to Entry of Order is reasonable and in the public interest.4. All applicable provisions of the APA have been either satisfied or waived by all Parties.5. On or about April 16, 2026, DIFS served a Notice of Opportunity to Show Compliance (NOSC) onRespondent. In the NOSC, DIFS asserted that Respondent provided justification for sanctionspursuant to Sections 1239(1)(a) and 1239(1)(g) of the Code, MCL 500.1239(1)(a) and MCL1239(1)(g).6. Respondent admits that sanctions are warranted under Section 1239(1)(a) of the Code, MCL500.1239(1)(a), because Respondent attempted to and did obtain a license throughmisrepresentation or fraud.7. Respondent admits that sanctions are warranted under Section 1239(1)(g) of the Code, MCL500.1239(1)(g), because Respondent used fraudulent or dishonest practices and demonstrateduntrustworthiness in the conduct of business.
Order Accepting Stipulation Enforcement Case No. 26-19008 Page 2 of 2 8. The Director is authorized to take disciplinary action against Respondent's insurance license inaddition to the imposition of monetary penalties for the above-described statutory violations pursuantto Sections 1239 and 1244 of the Code, MCL 500.1239 and MCL 500.1244.Now therefore, based upon the Stipulation to Entry of Order and the facts surrounding this case, IT IS ORDERED THAT: 9. All agreements contained in the Stipulation to Entry of Order are accepted and adopted in theirentirety.10. Respondent shall comply with all terms agreed to in the Stipulation to Entry of Order. A failure tocomply with a term in the Stipulation shall be deemed a violation of this Order.11. Respondent's license is hereby REVOKED, effective immediately.12. Respondent shall not reapply for a license administered by the Michigan Department of Insuranceand Financial Services. Any attempt to do so will constitute a violation of this Order and will result inthe commencement of additional proceedings.13. The Senior Deputy Director retains jurisdiction over the matters contained herein and has theauthority to issue such further order(s) as shall be deemed just, necessary, and appropriate inaccordance with the Michigan Insurance Code. Failure to abide by the terms and provisions of theStipulation to Entry of Order and this Order may result in the commencement of additionalproceedings.
____________________________________ Joseph A. Garcia Senior Deputy Director, and General Counsel
STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES Before the Director of the Department of Insurance and Financial Services In the matter of: Ryan Eckhout Enforcement Case No. 26-19008 System ID No. 1304078 Respondent. _____________________________/ STIPULATION TO ENTRY OF ORDER Ryan Eckhout (Respondent) stipulates to the following: 1. Respondent had the opportunity to have this Order Accepting Stipulation and Stipulation to Entry of Order (collectively "Consent Order") reviewed by legal counsel. 2. Respondent has read and understands this Consent Order. 3. Respondent understands that Respondent has a right to a hearing before an administrative law judge, at which DIFS would be required to prove the charges set forth by presentation of evidence and legal authority and at which Respondent would be entitled to appear, to cross-examine all witnesses presented by DIFS, and to present such testimony or other evidence or legal authority deemed appropriate as a defense to said charges. Respondent understands and intends that by agreeing to the Consent Order, Respondent is knowingly and voluntarily waiving Respondent's right, pursuant to the Michigan Insurance Code of 1956 (Code), MCL 500.100 et seq., the rules promulgated thereto, and the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), MCL 24.201 et seq., to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. 4. Respondent agrees that all parties have complied with the procedural requirements of the APA and the Code. 5. The Senior Deputy Director retains jurisdiction over the matters contained herein. 6. On or about April 16, 2026, the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) served Respondent with a Notice of Opportunity to Show Compliance (NOSC) alleging that Respondent committed conduct warranting disciplinary action against Respondent's license and monetary penalties pursuant to Sections 1239 and 1244 of the Code, MCL 500.1239 and MCL 500.1244. 7. Respondent admits to hiring and employing Alicia Jackson to take and pass an online proctored licensing exam on Respondent's behalf, justifying sanctions under Sections 1239(1)(a), 1239(1)(g), and 1244 of the Code. 8. Respondent agrees that, in lieu of further disciplinary action, Respondent's license shall be revoked, effective immediately upon entry of the Consent Order.
4-21-2026
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