程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)進士(shi)及(ji)第(di)后(hou),授內翰(han)林(lin)秘(mi)書院(yuan)編(bian)修(xiu)。不久,遷秘(mi)書院(yuan)修(xiu)撰,從事(shi)譯注《五經》事(shi)宜。程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)歷官(guan)翰(han)林(lin)國史(shi)(shi)院(yuan)修(xiu)撰、湖(hu)廣提學(xue)(xue)道、湖(hu)廣布政(zheng)司右參(can)議、詹(zhan)(zhan)事(shi)府(fu)左春(chun)坊左諭(yu)德等職。順(shun)(shun)治九年(nian),程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)以編(bian)修(xiu)出任(ren)會(hui)試同考官(guan)。順(shun)(shun)治十(shi)(shi)年(nian),出任(ren)直(zhi)隸學(xue)(xue)政(zheng)。順(shun)(shun)治十(shi)(shi)年(nian)六月,程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)提督(du)順(shun)(shun)天學(xue)(xue)政(zheng)。不久,遷國史(shi)(shi)院(yuan)侍講學(xue)(xue)士(shi)。順(shun)(shun)治十(shi)(shi)三(san)年(nian)十(shi)(shi)一月,程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)為弘(hong)文院(yuan)侍讀學(xue)(xue)士(shi),順(shun)(shun)治十(shi)(shi)四年(nian)十(shi)(shi)月為少(shao)詹(zhan)(zhan)事(shi)兼侍講學(xue)(xue)士(shi)。康熙(xi)三(san)年(nian),程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)以侍讀學(xue)(xue)士(shi)充任(ren)赴安南正(zheng)使。此(ci)間(jian),程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)“宣暢德威(wei),不抗(kang)不抑(yi),臨走時(shi),遠人爭賦詩餞(jian)送。”而(er)后(hou),程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)任(ren)詹(zhan)(zhan)事(shi)府(fu)少(shao)詹(zhan)(zhan)事(shi),升太(tai)(tai)常寺(si)卿。深受康熙(xi)帝賞識,潘蜀藻稱:“公(指(zhi)程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao))嘗奉(feng)宣于御(yu)前,伏幾(ji)作大字。上嘉(jia)其端(duan)勁,方(fang)欲大用之。”尋還,康熙(xi)七年(nian)正(zheng)月,程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)擢太(tai)(tai)常寺(si)卿。官(guan)至太(tai)(tai)常寺(si)卿。
晚年(nian),程芳朝(chao)以疾病纏身,辭(ci)官(guan)歸里,不(bu)再(zai)復出(chu)為官(guan)。當時人(ren)稱程芳朝(chao)“為人(ren)平(ping)易(yi)正真,悃(kun)愊無(wu)華,天性純厚,不(bu)事園亭(ting)絲竹之娛……乞休歸,杜門卻掃,旨與人(ren)事。”
他(ta)能詩文。清(qing)代詩人們稱(cheng)(cheng)頌他(ta):“聽夕陽惟閉(bi)門,讀書(shu)窮四(si)部(bu)。墨(mo)妙宗(zong)平原,藝苑稱(cheng)(cheng)獨步(bu)。”也(ye)善于書(shu)法(fa),尤(you)其擅長行(xing)草。他(ta)的書(shu)法(fa)特點是書(shu)寫(xie)得(de)(de)體、雄強茂密、精力內含、瘦(shou)勁有法(fa),高深(shen)絕(jue)人。運筆流暢,行(xing)如流水(shui),一(yi)氣呵(he)成。結(jie)構沉(chen)著,真情流動,點畫飛(fei)揚。體現出他(ta)深(shen)得(de)(de)顏體行(xing)草風格之妙。