程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)進士(shi)及第(di)后,授內(nei)翰(han)林秘(mi)(mi)書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)編(bian)修(xiu)。不(bu)久(jiu),遷秘(mi)(mi)書(shu)院(yuan)(yuan)修(xiu)撰,從事(shi)(shi)譯注《五經(jing)》事(shi)(shi)宜(yi)。程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)歷官(guan)(guan)翰(han)林國(guo)史院(yuan)(yuan)修(xiu)撰、湖廣提(ti)(ti)學道、湖廣布政(zheng)司右(you)參議、詹事(shi)(shi)府左春坊左諭德等(deng)職。順(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)九年(nian)(nian),程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)以編(bian)修(xiu)出任會試同(tong)考官(guan)(guan)。順(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)十年(nian)(nian),出任直隸學政(zheng)。順(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)十年(nian)(nian)六月,程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)提(ti)(ti)督順(shun)天學政(zheng)。不(bu)久(jiu),遷國(guo)史院(yuan)(yuan)侍講(jiang)學士(shi)。順(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)十三(san)年(nian)(nian)十一月,程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)為弘文(wen)院(yuan)(yuan)侍讀學士(shi),順(shun)治(zhi)(zhi)十四年(nian)(nian)十月為少詹事(shi)(shi)兼(jian)侍講(jiang)學士(shi)。康熙三(san)年(nian)(nian),程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)以侍讀學士(shi)充任赴安南正使。此間,程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)“宣(xuan)暢德威(wei),不(bu)抗不(bu)抑,臨走時,遠人爭賦(fu)詩餞(jian)送(song)。”而(er)后,程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)任詹事(shi)(shi)府少詹事(shi)(shi),升(sheng)太常寺(si)(si)卿。深受康熙帝賞識,潘(pan)蜀(shu)藻稱:“公(指程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao))嘗奉宣(xuan)于御前,伏幾作大字。上(shang)嘉其端(duan)勁,方欲(yu)大用之。”尋(xun)還,康熙七年(nian)(nian)正月,程(cheng)(cheng)芳朝(chao)擢太常寺(si)(si)卿。官(guan)(guan)至太常寺(si)(si)卿。
晚年,程(cheng)芳(fang)朝以疾(ji)病纏身,辭(ci)官(guan)歸里,不(bu)再復出為(wei)官(guan)。當(dang)時人稱程(cheng)芳(fang)朝“為(wei)人平易正真,悃愊(bi)無華,天性純厚,不(bu)事園亭絲竹之娛……乞休歸,杜門卻掃,旨與(yu)人事。”
他(ta)能(neng)詩文(wen)。清(qing)代詩人(ren)們稱頌他(ta):“聽夕(xi)陽惟閉(bi)門,讀書窮四部。墨妙(miao)宗平原,藝苑稱獨(du)步。”也善于書法,尤其擅長行(xing)(xing)草。他(ta)的書法特點是書寫得體(ti)、雄強茂密(mi)、精力內含、瘦勁(jing)有法,高(gao)深(shen)絕人(ren)。運筆(bi)流(liu)暢,行(xing)(xing)如流(liu)水,一(yi)氣(qi)呵成。結構沉著,真情流(liu)動(dong),點畫飛揚(yang)。體(ti)現出他(ta)深(shen)得顏體(ti)行(xing)(xing)草風格之妙(miao)。