Jeff,
Don't know about in the US, however over here if you learn on a taildragger, when you get the licence you also get the endorsement. However if you learn on a tricycle, that is all you can fly until you get instruction and signed off with the endorsement to fly a tailwheel aircraft. - bit like fixed pitch and C/Speed endorsement
Its not actually stated anywhere if you learn on a taildragger you can't fly a tricycle without an endorsement on a tricycle aircraft.
As a variation to flying take manual and automatic cars, here if you learn on a manual, when you get the licence you can drive either manual or automatic, however if you learn on an auto, you licence is stamped Auto only until you have the licence up graded by the Roads and Traffic Authority
Cheers
