diff --git a/api/package.json b/api/package.json
index e8c4232e667..75461e6817a 100644
--- a/api/package.json
+++ b/api/package.json
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
     "@growthbook/growthbook": "1.3.1",
     "@prisma/client": "5.5.2",
     "@sentry/node": "9.1.0",
+    "@types/pino": "^7.0.5",
     "ajv": "8.12.0",
     "ajv-formats": "2.1.1",
     "date-fns": "2.30.0",
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@
     "nanoid": "3",
     "no-profanity": "1.5.1",
     "nodemailer": "6.9.10",
+    "pino": "^9.6.0",
     "pino-pretty": "10.2.3",
     "query-string": "7.1.3",
     "stripe": "16.0.0",
diff --git a/api/src/app.ts b/api/src/app.ts
index 43177afe14a..8476a9facb3 100644
--- a/api/src/app.ts
+++ b/api/src/app.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import { randomBytes } from 'crypto';
-import { isEmpty } from 'lodash';
 import fastifyAccepts from '@fastify/accepts';
 import fastifySwagger from '@fastify/swagger';
 import fastifySwaggerUI from '@fastify/swagger-ui';
@@ -11,7 +10,6 @@ import Fastify, {
   FastifyBaseLogger,
   FastifyHttpOptions,
   FastifyInstance,
-  FastifyRequest,
   RawReplyDefaultExpression,
   RawRequestDefaultExpression,
   RawServerDefault
@@ -45,11 +43,10 @@ import {
   FCC_ENABLE_EXAM_ENVIRONMENT,
   FCC_ENABLE_SENTRY_ROUTES,
   GROWTHBOOK_FASTIFY_API_HOST,
-  GROWTHBOOK_FASTIFY_CLIENT_KEY,
-  FREECODECAMP_NODE_ENV,
-  FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL
+  GROWTHBOOK_FASTIFY_CLIENT_KEY
 } from './utils/env';
 import { isObjectID } from './utils/validation';
+import { getLogger } from './utils/logger';
 import {
   examEnvironmentMultipartRoutes,
   examEnvironmentOpenRoutes,
@@ -83,63 +80,8 @@ ajv.addFormat('objectid', {
   validate: (str: string) => isObjectID(str)
 });
 
-const requestSerializer = (req: FastifyRequest) => {
-  const method = req.method || 'METHOD not found';
-  const url = req.url || 'URL not found';
-  const headers = req.headers || 'HEADERS not found';
-  const xForwardedFor = Array.isArray(req.headers['x-forwarded-for'])
-    ? req.headers['x-forwarded-for'][0]
-    : req.headers['x-forwarded-for'];
-  const ip =
-    xForwardedFor || req.headers['x-real-ip'] || req.ip || 'IP not found';
-  const query = isEmpty(req.query) ? 'QUERY not found' : req.query;
-  const hostname = req.hostname || 'HOSTNAME not found';
-  const remotePort = req.socket.remotePort || 'REMOTE_PORT not found';
-
-  return {
-    REQ_ID: req.id,
-    METHOD: method,
-    URL: url,
-    IP: ip,
-    HOSTNAME: hostname,
-    REMOTE_PORT: remotePort,
-    QUERY: query,
-    HEADERS: headers
-  };
-};
-
-const envToLogger = {
-  development: {
-    transport: {
-      target: 'pino-pretty',
-      options: {
-        singleLine: true,
-        translateTime: 'HH:MM:ss Z',
-        ignore: 'pid,hostname'
-      }
-    },
-    level: FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL || 'info',
-    serializers: {
-      req: (req: FastifyRequest) => {
-        return {
-          method: req.method,
-          url: req.url
-        };
-      }
-    }
-    // No need to redact in development
-  },
-  production: {
-    level: FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL || 'info',
-    serializers: {
-      req: requestSerializer
-    },
-    redact: ['req.HEADERS.cookie']
-  }
-};
-
 export const buildOptions = {
-  logger: envToLogger[FREECODECAMP_NODE_ENV] ?? true,
+  logger: getLogger(),
   genReqId: () => randomBytes(8).toString('hex'),
   disableRequestLogging: true
 };
diff --git a/api/src/plugins/auth0.ts b/api/src/plugins/auth0.ts
index eb17ccd2e18..541531ac249 100644
--- a/api/src/plugins/auth0.ts
+++ b/api/src/plugins/auth0.ts
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ export const auth0Client: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = fp(
 
     // TODO: use a schema to validate the query params.
     fastify.get('/auth/auth0/callback', async function (req, reply) {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
 
       const { error, error_description } = req.query as Record<string, string>;
       if (error === 'access_denied') {
diff --git a/api/src/plugins/bouncer.ts b/api/src/plugins/bouncer.ts
index a7598ddcd29..f7707e2d377 100644
--- a/api/src/plugins/bouncer.ts
+++ b/api/src/plugins/bouncer.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ const plugin: FastifyPluginCallback = (fastify, _options, done) => {
     'send401IfNoUser',
     async function (req: FastifyRequest, reply: FastifyReply) {
       if (!req.user) {
-        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
 
         logger.trace(
           'Protected route accessed by unauthenticated user. Sent 401.'
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ const plugin: FastifyPluginCallback = (fastify, _options, done) => {
   fastify.decorate(
     'redirectIfNoUser',
     async function (req: FastifyRequest, reply: FastifyReply) {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       if (!req.user) {
         logger.trace(
           'Protected route accessed by unauthenticated user. Redirecting to login.'
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ const plugin: FastifyPluginCallback = (fastify, _options, done) => {
     'redirectIfSignedIn',
     async function (req: FastifyRequest, reply: FastifyReply) {
       if (req.user) {
-        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
 
         const { returnTo } = getRedirectParams(req);
 
diff --git a/api/src/plugins/cors.ts b/api/src/plugins/cors.ts
index c41a155f5a7..0b7f8b715d2 100644
--- a/api/src/plugins/cors.ts
+++ b/api/src/plugins/cors.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const cors: FastifyPluginCallback = (fastify, _options, done) => {
   });
 
   fastify.addHook('onRequest', async (req, reply) => {
-    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
     const origin = req.headers.origin;
     if (origin && allowedOrigins.includes(origin)) {
       // Do we want to log allowed origins?
diff --git a/api/src/plugins/csrf.ts b/api/src/plugins/csrf.ts
index 39407cf824e..2065348e6ac 100644
--- a/api/src/plugins/csrf.ts
+++ b/api/src/plugins/csrf.ts
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ const csrf: FastifyPluginCallback = (fastify, _options, done) => {
 
   // All routes except signout should add a CSRF token to the response
   fastify.addHook('onRequest', (req, reply, done) => {
-    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
     const isSignout = req.url === '/signout' || req.url === '/signout/';
 
     if (!isSignout) {
diff --git a/api/src/plugins/not-found.ts b/api/src/plugins/not-found.ts
index 152646da902..19f4928646c 100644
--- a/api/src/plugins/not-found.ts
+++ b/api/src/plugins/not-found.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ const fourOhFour: FastifyPluginCallback = (fastify, _options, done) => {
   // If the request accepts JSON and does not specifically prefer text/html,
   // this will return a 404 JSON response. Everything else will be redirected.
   fastify.setNotFoundHandler((req, reply) => {
-    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
     logger.info('User requested path that does not exist');
 
     const accepted = req.accepts().type(['json', 'html']);
diff --git a/api/src/routes/protected/certificate.ts b/api/src/routes/protected/certificate.ts
index de20494dcb8..0e1ea1d2c1a 100644
--- a/api/src/routes/protected/certificate.ts
+++ b/api/src/routes/protected/certificate.ts
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ export const protectedCertificateRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       }
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       const { certSlug } = req.body;
 
       if (!isKnownCertSlug(certSlug) || !isCertAllowed(certSlug)) {
diff --git a/api/src/routes/protected/challenge.ts b/api/src/routes/protected/challenge.ts
index 2bec33749a8..cba143eb682 100644
--- a/api/src/routes/protected/challenge.ts
+++ b/api/src/routes/protected/challenge.ts
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
     {
       schema: schemas.coderoadChallengeCompleted,
       errorHandler(error, req, reply) {
-        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
         if (error.validation) {
           logger.warn({ validationError: error.validation });
           void reply.code(400);
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       }
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info(
         { userId: req.user?.id },
         'User submitted a coderoad challenge'
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
     {
       schema: schemas.projectCompleted,
       errorHandler(error, req, reply) {
-        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
         if (error.validation) {
           logger.warn({ validationError: error.validation });
           void reply.code(400);
@@ -310,8 +310,8 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
         }
       }
     },
-    async req => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+    async (req, reply) => {
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info(
         { userId: req.user?.id },
         `User submitted a backend challenge`
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       schema: schemas.modernChallengeCompleted,
       errorHandler(error, req, reply) {
         if (error.validation) {
-          const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+          const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
           // This is another highly used route, so debug log level is used to
           // avoid excessive logging
           logger.debug({ validationError: error.validation });
@@ -364,8 +364,8 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
         }
       }
     },
-    async req => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+    async (req, reply) => {
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       // This is another highly used route, so debug log level is used to
       // avoid excessive logging
       logger.debug(
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
     {
       schema: schemas.saveChallenge,
       errorHandler(error, req, reply) {
-        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
         if (error.validation) {
           logger.warn({ validationError: error.validation });
           void reply.code(400);
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       }
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info({ userId: req.user?.id }, 'User saved a challenge');
 
       const { files, id: challengeId } = req.body;
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
     {
       schema: schemas.exam,
       errorHandler(error, req, reply) {
-        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
         if (error.validation) {
           logger.warn({ validationError: error.validation });
           void reply.code(400);
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       }
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info(
         { userId: req.user?.id, examId: req.params.id },
         'User requested an exam'
@@ -580,7 +580,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
     {
       schema: schemas.msTrophyChallengeCompleted,
       errorHandler(error, req, reply) {
-        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
         if (error.validation) {
           logger.warn({ validationError: error.validation });
           void reply.code(400);
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       }
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info(
         { userId: req.user?.id },
         'User submitted a Microsoft trophy challenge'
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
     {
       schema: schemas.examChallengeCompleted,
       errorHandler(error, req, reply) {
-        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
         if (error.validation) {
           logger.warn({ validationError: error.validation });
           void reply.code(400);
@@ -698,7 +698,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       }
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
 
       logger.info({ userId: req.user?.id }, 'User submitted an exam challenge');
 
@@ -899,7 +899,7 @@ export const challengeRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
     {
       schema: schemas.submitQuizAttempt,
       errorHandler(error, req, reply) {
-        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
         if (error.validation) {
           logger.warn({ validationError: error.validation });
           void reply.code(400);
diff --git a/api/src/routes/protected/donate.ts b/api/src/routes/protected/donate.ts
index 887b454784d..3533d69e6f5 100644
--- a/api/src/routes/protected/donate.ts
+++ b/api/src/routes/protected/donate.ts
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ export const donateRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
     {
       schema: schemas.updateStripeCard
     },
-    async req => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+    async (req, reply) => {
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       const donation = await fastify.prisma.donation.findFirst({
         where: { userId: req.user?.id, provider: 'stripe' }
       });
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ export const donateRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       schema: schemas.addDonation
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       try {
         const user = await fastify.prisma.user.findUnique({
           where: { id: req.user?.id }
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ export const donateRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       schema: schemas.chargeStripeCard
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       try {
         const { paymentMethodId, amount, duration } = req.body;
         const id = req.user!.id;
diff --git a/api/src/routes/protected/settings.ts b/api/src/routes/protected/settings.ts
index c6936f4ed40..d2428b3ec36 100644
--- a/api/src/routes/protected/settings.ts
+++ b/api/src/routes/protected/settings.ts
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ export const settingRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       schema: schemas.updateMyProfileUI
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       try {
         await fastify.prisma.user.update({
           where: { id: req.user?.id },
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ Happy coding!
       attachValidation: true
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       if (req.validationError) {
         logger.warn(`Invalid email ${req.body.email}`);
         void reply.code(400);
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ ${isLinkSentWithinLimitTTL}`
       schema: schemas.updateMyTheme
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       try {
         await fastify.prisma.user.update({
           where: { id: req.user?.id },
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ ${isLinkSentWithinLimitTTL}`
       schema: schemas.updateMySocials
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
 
       const socials = {
         twitter: req.body.twitter,
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@ ${isLinkSentWithinLimitTTL}`
       attachValidation: true
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
 
       try {
         const user = await fastify.prisma.user.findFirstOrThrow({
@@ -482,7 +482,7 @@ ${isLinkSentWithinLimitTTL}`
       schema: schemas.updateMyAbout
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       const hasProtocol = isPictureWithProtocol(req.body.picture);
 
       try {
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ ${isLinkSentWithinLimitTTL}`
       schema: schemas.updateMyKeyboardShortcuts
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       try {
         await fastify.prisma.user.update({
           where: { id: req.user?.id },
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ ${isLinkSentWithinLimitTTL}`
       schema: schemas.updateMyQuincyEmail
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       try {
         await fastify.prisma.user.update({
           where: { id: req.user?.id },
@@ -571,7 +571,7 @@ ${isLinkSentWithinLimitTTL}`
       schema: schemas.updateMyHonesty
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       try {
         await fastify.prisma.user.update({
           where: { id: req.user?.id },
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ ${isLinkSentWithinLimitTTL}`
       schema: schemas.updateMyPrivacyTerms
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       try {
         await fastify.prisma.user.update({
           where: { id: req.user?.id },
@@ -628,7 +628,7 @@ ${isLinkSentWithinLimitTTL}`
       schema: schemas.updateMyPortfolio
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       try {
         // TODO(Post-MVP): make all properties required in the schema and use
         // req.body.portfolio directly.
@@ -667,7 +667,7 @@ ${isLinkSentWithinLimitTTL}`
       schema: schemas.updateMyClassroomMode
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       try {
         const classroomMode = req.body.isClassroomAccount;
 
@@ -764,7 +764,7 @@ export const settingRedirectRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       }
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       const email = Buffer.from(req.query.email, 'base64').toString();
 
       const { origin } = getRedirectParams(req);
diff --git a/api/src/routes/protected/user.ts b/api/src/routes/protected/user.ts
index c783599e9b5..3c6898a3be5 100644
--- a/api/src/routes/protected/user.ts
+++ b/api/src/routes/protected/user.ts
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ export const userRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       schema: schemas.deleteMyAccount
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info(`User ${req.user?.id} requested account deletion`);
       await fastify.prisma.userToken.deleteMany({
         where: { userId: req.user!.id }
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ export const userRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
     {
       schema: schemas.resetMyProgress
     },
-    async req => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+    async (req, reply) => {
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info(`User ${req.user?.id} requested progress reset`);
       await fastify.prisma.userToken.deleteMany({
         where: { userId: req.user!.id }
@@ -110,8 +110,8 @@ export const userRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
     }
   );
   // TODO(Post-MVP): POST -> PUT
-  fastify.post('/user/user-token', async req => {
-    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+  fastify.post('/user/user-token', async (req, reply) => {
+    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
     logger.info(`User ${req.user?.id} requested a new user token`);
 
     await fastify.prisma.userToken.deleteMany({
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ export const userRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       schema: schemas.deleteUserToken
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info(`User ${req.user?.id} requested token deletion`);
 
       const { count } = await fastify.prisma.userToken.deleteMany({
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ export const userRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       }
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info(`User ${req.user?.id} reported user ${req.body.username}`);
 
       const user = await fastify.prisma.user.findUniqueOrThrow({
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ export const userRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       schema: schemas.deleteMsUsername
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info(`User ${req.user?.id} requested unlinking of msUsername`);
 
       try {
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ export const userRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
     {
       schema: schemas.postMsUsername,
       errorHandler(error, req, reply) {
-        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+        const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
         if (error.validation) {
           logger.warn({ validationError: error.validation });
           void reply.code(400).send({
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ export const userRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       }
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info(`User ${req.user?.id} requested linking of msUsername`);
 
       try {
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ export const userRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       }
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       logger.info(`User ${req.user?.id} submitted a survey`);
       try {
         const user = await fastify.prisma.user.findUniqueOrThrow({
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ export const userGetRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       schema: schemas.getSessionUser
     },
     async (req, res) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res });
       // This is one of the most requested routes. To avoid spamming the logs
       // with this route, we'll log requests at the debug level.
       logger.debug({ userId: req.user?.id });
diff --git a/api/src/routes/public/auth.ts b/api/src/routes/public/auth.ts
index b4d31d94541..545b51086ac 100644
--- a/api/src/routes/public/auth.ts
+++ b/api/src/routes/public/auth.ts
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ export const mobileAuth0Routes: FastifyPluginCallback = (
   fastify.get('/mobile-login', async (req, reply) => {
     const email = await getEmailFromAuth0(req);
 
-    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
 
     logger.info('Mobile app login attempt');
 
diff --git a/api/src/routes/public/certificate.ts b/api/src/routes/public/certificate.ts
index 62c252ec08d..4e1360bb95c 100644
--- a/api/src/routes/public/certificate.ts
+++ b/api/src/routes/public/certificate.ts
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export const unprotectedCertificateRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       schema: schemas.certSlug
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
       const username = req.params.username.toLowerCase();
       const certSlug = req.params.certSlug;
 
diff --git a/api/src/routes/public/signout.ts b/api/src/routes/public/signout.ts
index d9cf18da3d0..4958c9d31d3 100644
--- a/api/src/routes/public/signout.ts
+++ b/api/src/routes/public/signout.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ export const signoutRoute: FastifyPluginCallback = (
   done
 ) => {
   fastify.get('/signout', async (req, reply) => {
-    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+    const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
 
     void reply.clearOurCookies();
     logger.info('User signed out');
diff --git a/api/src/routes/public/status.ts b/api/src/routes/public/status.ts
index b5b21089507..a9b9c05567e 100644
--- a/api/src/routes/public/status.ts
+++ b/api/src/routes/public/status.ts
@@ -15,13 +15,13 @@ export const statusRoute: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
   _options,
   done
 ) => {
-  fastify.get('/status/ping', async (req, _reply) => {
-    fastify.log.child({ req }).debug('pong');
+  fastify.get('/status/ping', async (req, res) => {
+    fastify.log.child({ req, res }).debug('Replying to ping');
     return { msg: 'pong' };
   });
 
-  fastify.get('/status/version', async (req, _reply) => {
-    fastify.log.child({ req }).debug('version');
+  fastify.get('/status/version', async (req, res) => {
+    fastify.log.child({ req, res }).debug('Sending version');
     return { version: DEPLOYMENT_VERSION };
   });
 
diff --git a/api/src/routes/public/user.ts b/api/src/routes/public/user.ts
index 872110cf417..934b679e486 100644
--- a/api/src/routes/public/user.ts
+++ b/api/src/routes/public/user.ts
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ export const userPublicGetRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       }
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, reply });
       logger.info({ username: req.query.username });
       // TODO(Post-MVP): look for duplicates unless we can make username unique in the db.
       const user = await fastify.prisma.user.findFirst({
@@ -219,10 +219,12 @@ export const userPublicGetRoutes: FastifyPluginCallbackTypebox = (
       attachValidation: true
     },
     async (req, reply) => {
-      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req });
+      const logger = fastify.log.child({ req, res: reply });
 
       if (req.validationError) {
-        logger.warn({ validationError: req.validationError });
+        logger.warn('Validation error', {
+          validationError: req.validationError
+        });
         void reply.code(400);
         return await reply.send({
           type: 'danger',
diff --git a/api/src/utils/env.ts b/api/src/utils/env.ts
index 9aade11ee63..ca956ee6598 100644
--- a/api/src/utils/env.ts
+++ b/api/src/utils/env.ts
@@ -72,12 +72,18 @@ function isLogLevel(level: string): level is LogLevel {
 }
 
 const _FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL = process.env.FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL || 'info';
+const _FCC_API_LOG_TRANSPORT = process.env.FCC_API_LOG_TRANSPORT || 'default ';
 
 assert.ok(
   isLogLevel(_FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL),
   `FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL must be one of ${LOG_LEVELS.join(', ')}. Found ${_FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL}`
 );
 
+assert.ok(
+  _FCC_API_LOG_TRANSPORT === 'pretty' || _FCC_API_LOG_TRANSPORT === 'default',
+  `FCC_API_LOG_TRANSPORT must be one of 'pretty' or 'default'. Found ${_FCC_API_LOG_TRANSPORT}`
+);
+
 if (process.env.FREECODECAMP_NODE_ENV !== 'development') {
   assert.ok(process.env.SES_ID);
   assert.ok(process.env.SES_SECRET);
@@ -178,6 +184,7 @@ export const FCC_ENABLE_SWAGGER_UI = undefinedOrBool(
 export const FCC_ENABLE_DEV_LOGIN_MODE =
   process.env.FCC_ENABLE_DEV_LOGIN_MODE === 'true';
 export const FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL = _FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL;
+export const FCC_API_LOG_TRANSPORT = _FCC_API_LOG_TRANSPORT;
 export const FCC_ENABLE_SHADOW_CAPTURE = undefinedOrBool(
   process.env.FCC_ENABLE_SHADOW_CAPTURE
 );
diff --git a/api/src/utils/logger.ts b/api/src/utils/logger.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ba3fb919998
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/src/utils/logger.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+import pino, { TransportTargetOptions } from 'pino';
+import { FastifyRequest, FastifyReply } from 'fastify';
+import { isEmpty } from 'lodash';
+import { FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL, FCC_API_LOG_TRANSPORT } from './env';
+
+const transportOptionsPretty: TransportTargetOptions = {
+  target: 'pino-pretty',
+  options: {
+    singleLine: true,
+    translateTime: 'HH:MM:ss Z',
+    ignore: 'pid,hostname',
+    colorize: true
+  }
+};
+
+const serializersPretty = {
+  req: (req: FastifyRequest) => {
+    return {
+      REQ_METHOD: req.method,
+      REQ_URL: req.url
+    };
+  }
+};
+
+const serializersDefault = {
+  req: (req: FastifyRequest) => {
+    const method = req.method || 'METHOD not found';
+    const url = req.url || 'URL not found';
+    const xForwardedFor = Array.isArray(req.headers['x-forwarded-for'])
+      ? req.headers['x-forwarded-for'][0]
+      : req.headers['x-forwarded-for'];
+    const ip =
+      req.headers['cf-connecting-ip'] ||
+      xForwardedFor ||
+      req.headers['x-real-ip'] ||
+      req.ip ||
+      'IP not found';
+    const userAgent = req.headers['user-agent'] || 'USER_AGENT not found';
+    const country = req.headers['cf-ipcountry'] || 'COUNTRY not found';
+    const query = isEmpty(req.query) ? 'QUERY not found' : req.query;
+
+    return {
+      REQ_METHOD: method,
+      REQ_URL: url,
+      REQ_IP: ip,
+      REQ_USER_AGENT: userAgent,
+      REQ_COUNTRY: country,
+      REQ_QUERY: query
+    };
+  },
+  res: (reply: FastifyReply) => {
+    return {
+      RES_STATUS_CODE: reply.statusCode,
+      RES_RESPONSE_TIME: reply.elapsedTime
+    };
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * Get a logger instance with the default options.
+ *
+ * @returns A logger instance with the default options.
+ */
+export const getLogger = () => {
+  const isPretty = FCC_API_LOG_TRANSPORT === 'pretty';
+  const options = {
+    level: FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL || 'info',
+    serializers: isPretty ? serializersPretty : serializersDefault
+  };
+
+  return isPretty
+    ? pino({ ...options, transport: transportOptionsPretty })
+    : pino(options);
+};
diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index 1e7d46b4e65..3ab79ac27f8 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -194,6 +194,9 @@ importers:
       '@sentry/node':
         specifier: 9.1.0
         version: 9.1.0
+      '@types/pino':
+        specifier: ^7.0.5
+        version: 7.0.5
       ajv:
         specifier: 8.12.0
         version: 8.12.0
@@ -236,6 +239,9 @@ importers:
       nodemailer:
         specifier: 6.9.10
         version: 6.9.10
+      pino:
+        specifier: ^9.6.0
+        version: 9.6.0
       pino-pretty:
         specifier: 10.2.3
         version: 10.2.3
@@ -5134,6 +5140,10 @@ packages:
   '@types/pg@8.6.1':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-1Kc4oAGzAl7uqUStZCDvaLFqZrW9qWSjXOmBfdgyBP5La7Us6Mg4GBvRlSoaZMhQF/zSj1C8CtKMBkoiT8eL8w==}
 
+  '@types/pino@7.0.5':
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-wKoab31pknvILkxAF8ss+v9iNyhw5Iu/0jLtRkUD74cNfOOLJNnqfFKAv0r7wVaTQxRZtWrMpGfShwwBjOcgcg==}
+    deprecated: This is a stub types definition. pino provides its own type definitions, so you do not need this installed.
+
   '@types/prismjs@1.26.0':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-ZTaqn/qSqUuAq1YwvOFQfVW1AR/oQJlLSZVustdjwI+GZ8kr0MSHBj0tsXPW1EqHubx50gtBEjbPGsdZwQwCjQ==}
 
@@ -8526,6 +8536,7 @@ packages:
 
   formidable@2.1.2:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-CM3GuJ57US06mlpQ47YcunuUZ9jpm8Vx+P2CGt2j7HpgkKZO/DJYQ0Bobim8G6PFQmK5lOqOOdUXboU+h73A4g==}
+    deprecated: 'ACTION REQUIRED: SWITCH TO v3 - v1 and v2 are VULNERABLE! v1 is DEPRECATED FOR OVER 2 YEARS! Use formidable@latest or try formidable-mini for fresh projects'
 
   forwarded-parse@2.1.2:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-alTFZZQDKMporBH77856pXgzhEzaUVmLCDk+egLgIgHst3Tpndzz8MnKe+GzRJRfvVdn69HhpW7cmXzvtLvJAw==}
@@ -15351,6 +15362,7 @@ packages:
   yurnalist@2.1.0:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-PgrBqosQLM3gN2xBFIMDLACRTV9c365VqityKKpSTWpwR+U4LAFR3rSVyEoscWlu3EzX9+Y0I86GXUKxpHFl6w==}
     engines: {node: '>=4.0.0'}
+    deprecated: Package no longer supported. Contact Support at https://www.npmjs.com/support for more info.
 
   zod@3.23.8:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-XBx9AXhXktjUqnepgTiE5flcKIYWi/rme0Eaj+5Y0lftuGBq+jyRu/md4WnuxqgP1ubdpNCsYEYPxrzVHD8d6g==}
@@ -21569,6 +21581,10 @@ snapshots:
       pg-protocol: 1.8.0
       pg-types: 2.2.0
 
+  '@types/pino@7.0.5':
+    dependencies:
+      pino: 9.6.0
+
   '@types/prismjs@1.26.0': {}
 
   '@types/prop-types@15.7.8': {}
@@ -32595,7 +32611,7 @@ snapshots:
 
   send@1.2.0:
     dependencies:
-      debug: 4.3.7
+      debug: 4.4.0
       encodeurl: 2.0.0
       escape-html: 1.0.3
       etag: 1.8.1
diff --git a/sample.env b/sample.env
index a6444055945..fbed968b62c 100644
--- a/sample.env
+++ b/sample.env
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ FCC_ENABLE_SHADOW_CAPTURE=false
 FCC_ENABLE_EXAM_ENVIRONMENT=false
 FCC_ENABLE_SENTRY_ROUTES=false
 FCC_API_LOG_LEVEL=info
+FCC_API_LOG_TRANSPORT=pretty
 
 # Email
 # use ses in production