Can i not get a hazmat endorsement with a CDL permit?

I think, with Prime, you graduate with a Missouri CDL. Prime probably has something set up with the DMV.
The Missouri CDL is good for 12 or 24 mos. I think.
If you're going with Prime, then just accept what Prime tells you. It's a very successful company and also very thorough with new applicants.

 

TSA doesn't do a background check unless you have a CDL, a permit is just permission to operate a commercial motor vehicle on public roads if someone with a CDL accompanies you in the vehicle. To get HazMat you have to pass the endorsement tests, schedule and complete a fingerprint submission, wait for the TSA approval after the background check, and then return to the driver's license office. It can cost $150-200, IIRC. Make sure to get at least combination, general, air-brake, doubles/triples, tanker, and HazMat, if you need it. Every endorsement, except HazMat, never expires. HazMat expires every 5 years, IIRC. Tanker is required even if you never ever pull a liquid filled trailer. It's required for certain items that can be carried inside or on other trailers. EVERYONE should have a tanker endorsement.

You can practice for EVERY endorsement using the free online tests. This website has many of them, look at the top of the screen. I prefer TruckerCountry.com. That's the site I use since they have more versions of every test for every endorsement.

 

@tscottme is 100% correct. If anybody is interested here is a link to the TSA website where this is explained.

From the website,

Eligibility
You may apply if you are a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, naturalized citizen or a nonimmigrant alien, asylee or refugee who is in lawful status and have a CDL issued by a U.S. state. Remember to check with the state in which your license is issued for additional citizenship or lawful presence requirements stricter than TSA’s before applying.

I do think you can get the background check done while still carrying the permit. Then all you have to do is pass the hazmat test and you will get it. However, you can't get hazmat on a permit.

 

With a permit you cannot pull HazMat. Also, you can only pull empty tanker trailers with a permit. Tanker trailers that carried HazMat are still HazMat until they are washed, even if they are empty.
EVERYONE should have Tanker endorsement.

 

Are you 100% sure about that in every case? I bring this up because I have been part of several meetings where this very subject was discussed. Once any trailer dry van or tanker used to haul hazmat goes below the reportable quantity you can fold up the hazmat placards you no longer need them. Now I know some hazmat is so dangerous any amount is considered hazmat. If the reportable quantity rules have changed since I last was on the road correct me, please!

 

This varies by state, for example in Texas you can't schedule to get your background check until you've passed the Haz-Mat test. Also, for those who have never carried Haz-Mat on their license you are now required to pass a Haz-Mat ELDT course prior to testing for you endorsement.

 

For a tanker prior to being cleaned out there is still enough residue and vapor to be considered haz-mat

 

Hazmat for purposes of Transportation is any substance OVER the reportable quantity amounts found in I think the EPA rules. This is universal. People sometimes forget about the importance of reportable quantities. Some hazmat is so dangerous any amount is reported. Some hazmat that figure is 5000 pounds down to as little as 50 or less.

And you would be 100% correct if there was still an amount higher than the RQ for that substance. Hazmat by itself does not determine if you need to placard or not.